Why is it newsworthy everytime someone does their job to make sure that the Port Monmouth flood gates are closed prior to an event that has the potential to flood the streets and homes of residents? I'll tell you why, because the Township is often negligent of its duties. So, when the Patch has to post an article titled "Middletown Flood Gates Turned On As High Tide Looms", for the purpose of letting residents in the area know that the flood gates will actual be closed and they can breath a sigh of relief, it becomes newsworthy because often the flood gates are left open.
At last month's LWV Candidate Forum between Tony Perry and myself, Perry blamed the NJDEP for not getting the gates closed. Perry took no responsibility whatsoever for past failures that caused mass flooding in the area that has lead to property damage to residences. He stated that the Township isn't responsible for the operation of the gates, that the NJDEP is. To me and many others, that is unacceptable.
As acting mayor, Perry has a responsibility to make sure the Township is proactive in ensuring that those flood gates get closed when needed. Whether it is the responsibility of Township Administrator, Tony Mercantante, Director of Public Works, Ted Maloney, or Perry himself, someone needs to make sure those flood gates get closed by proactively making a call. Simply blaming the NJDEP is just passing the buck!
Or how about this, if the NJDEP is in total control of activating the flood gates during times of potential flooding that would be caused by an extreme weather incident or full moon, why not take the responsibility of closing the gates away from the NJDEP? Why not take on the responsibility yourself to ensure that residents don't need to worry about their homes, cars or other property becoming a casualty of Mother Nature? A casualty mind you, that is preventable with a little foresight and effort on the part of our governing body.
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