Letter: Middletown's "faith-based" Initiative Is Wrong

The expressed opinions or views of this letter does not necessarily represent the opinion of the MiddletownMike blog:


Dear Editor,

I was horrified to learn that the Middletown Township Committee in Monmouth County is planning on directing residents to utilize "faith-based" organizations, when seeking assistance with what they describe as "everything from storm recovery to substance abuse services to household finance".

In this country, there is a separation of church and state. The Middletown Township Committee goes onto state that they are going to determine "faith-based organizations capable of collaborating with the township". This sounds like Middletown Township will be providing a preference to certain religious groups over others.

Given how high the property taxes that my parents pay on the family home in Middletown are, I am offended that the all-Republican township committee is not willing to allocate funds to helping the most vulnerable members our community, yet there is always money to give high-paid jobs to the politically-connected.

Government has a responsibility in providing for the social welfare of it’s people. It is a sad reflection on our society's moral compass when a township that spends so much money on high salaries for the well-connected and settling lawsuits for police chiefs accused of racism, is categorically unwilling to assist it's citizens in need, especially around the holidays.

Justin Cooke
Middletown, NJ / Boulder, CO

President Obama Will Visit Monmouth County on Tuesday!

If you want to see President Obama on Tuesday head on down to Asbury Park, he will be on the boardwalk as part of his Jersey Shore tour to view the recovery progress in the wake of last year's Hurricane Sandy.

From the Asbury Park Sun:

President Barack Obama will make an address from the Asbury Park boardwalk on Tuesday as part of his visit to the Jersey Shore to view recovery progress from Hurricane Sandy, according to a news release from the White House Office of the Press Secretary.

The President will be joined by Governor Chris Christie, the release stated. The time of the President’s speech was not specified but entry to the event starts at 11:30 a.m., according to the release.

The event is free and open to the public, and tickets will be limited to one per person, the release stated. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday May 26, 2013 at Convention Hall.

Mtown News Flash 12-21-12

Storm Recovery Information Tips and FAQs

FEMA Advisory Base Flood Elevations

Superstorm Sandy Information

www.disasterassistance.gov/
Find assistance, request assistance and track applications

Survivors of Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey now have until January 30, 2013 to register for disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Association

FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) REVISED HOURS
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. Closed on Sundays
Chrismas Eve December 24 - 9 am to 1pm

Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center, 945 Highway 36, LEONARDO, NJ 07737
Services: VA, Legal Referrals, Health, Crisis Counseling, Aging, USACE, Web Registration, Insurance, Hazard Mitigation, Housing Assistance, EPA, HHS, ONA, NEFRLS, Federal Other, FEMA Other, State/Local Other, USDA, SBA Home Loan, Information, HUD, National Council on Independent Living, Housing Services, Social and Rehabilitation Services, Volunteer Organization, IRS, HOPE Coalition America, Other, SSA, Teleregistration, DUA, Fax, Copy, Phone useSBA Business Loan.

Middletown Disaster Relief Fund - www.middletownrelief.com
Donations are tax-deductible. 100% of donations go to Middletown families

Christmas, December 25
Municipal Offices are closed on December 25.

Happy Holidays!

Video: Hurricane Sandy Home Repair, Rebuilding & FEMA Public Info Session

Last Wednesday night, Middletown Township hosted a public information session at Middletown High School North(MHSN) which addressed rules and regulations regarding the repair and rebuilding of homes and businesses damaged by Superstorm Sandy. Township officials, along with officials from Union Beach and Keansburg, joined representatives from The Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) and Small Business Association(SBA) to explain the storm recovery process and to answer questions from those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

The auditorium of MHSN was jammed packed and standing room only, filled with storm victims seeking assistance and wanting to know when they can return to there homes.

Judging from the length of the video, the meeting lasted over 3 hours and quite a bit was discussed. One area of interested that was discussed according to the Asbury Park Press was  that residents who live along the bayshore, who lost there homes or significant portions there of, will be required to meet the new FEMA base flood elevation figure for the first floor living spaces (I believe 13ft) when the homes are rebuilt.

People affected by the storm can log onto the FEMA website, www.Region2Coastal.com for more information.



If you are planning to watching the video, you can save a little time by fast forwarding. The actual information session doesn't start until 10-15 minutes into the video.

Pallone Announces over $6million for Sandy Debris Cleanup on Shore

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced the first round of funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist with cleanup efforts for areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy. The FEMA funding will assist with debris removal from Hurricane Sandy including $6,644,850 for three towns in the Sixth Congressional District.

Plainfield, Manalapan and Keansburg will each receive $1,125,000, $3,937,500 and $1,582,350 respectively to help cover the cost of debris removal including felled trees and sand from Hurricane Sandy.

“This FEMA assistance is going to play an important role in rebuilding our communities,” said Pallone. “Hurricane Sandy produced an extraordinary amount of debris from trees, sand and other materials that need to be removed so we can begin the recovery process, and this funding is an important first step.”

The funding from FEMA is the first round of Public Assistance grants based on applications made by municipalities to help with the cost of storm recovery efforts. Future funds will be distributed to help reimburse local governments on a rolling basis.