Wednesday, May 1, 2013
The Christie administration announced $1.8 billion in federal funding on Monday.
Gov. Chris Christie on Monday announced $1.8 billion in federal funding for indiviuals and businesses in New Jersey in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Sean Donovan attended the announcement and mentioned Hoboken's special situation. Right after the storm, Donovan said, "one of the first calls" he received was from Mayor Dawn Zimmer. The problem with Hoboken's infrastructure is that elevating buildings — something that's encouraged when renovating and rebuilding houses down the shore — is not an option. In that phone call, Zimmer told Donovan that there had been issues with flood insurance and that those living in basement apartments should be eligible for funding as well. "We put specific guidance in…
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Until then, Hobokenites are invited — and encouraged — to stop by for information and help, said Carly Ringer, the coordinator of the post-Sandy relief effort.
It may be more than six months since the super storm, but many Hobokenites are still dealing with Hurricane Sandy's aftermath. Right now, said Hoboken's Hurricane Relief Coordinator Carly Ringer, people are waiting for FEMA money to come in. "But there are other ways to get money," said Ringer. She added that a lot of people are receiving less insurance money than they previously expected, "and that becomes a problem." Ringer can be found at the Hurricane Resource Center, located on First Street, which is open daily after 4 p.m. Residents can stop by on a walk-in basis. The Hurricane Center is scheduled to close mid-May. The center — as well as Ringer's position as relief coordinator for about $5,000 a month — was planned as a temporary …
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
About a thousand runners attended the 5K over the weekend.
More than one thousand people ran for a cause in Hoboken on Saturday morning. The city announced that about $20,000 was raised for Sandy relief efforts for the City of Hoboken, the State of New Jersey, and Port Maria, Jamaica in Hoboken's "Resilience 5K." According to United Nations Office for Disaster and Risk Reduction, the event could be repeated all across the world. In a story on the UN's website, the chief of that department, Margareta Wahlström, who attended the race, said that "Hoboken's Resilience Run offers the 1,400 cities of the UN Resilient Cities Campaign an exemplary model of community engagement that harnesses the power of sports to bring people together for an important cause."
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Mayor Dawn Zimmer on Thursday night said she wants to create a flood-resistant Hoboken.
The City of Hoboken has applied for $126 million in federal funding to create a more flood resistant town, Mayor Dawn Zimmer said on Thursday night. The city hopes that the hazard mitigation funding will pay for its flood wall proposal, but also about $80 million in open space acquisition with an underground detention system. “We need to figure out a way to protect the entire city,” Zimmer said. Since elevating buildings on piles is not an option, Zimmer said, another way must be found. The grant money — while unclear when and how much of the funds the city will see — would also pay for more generators, a more updated warning system around town in case of an emergency. The city is also supporting an application by the North Hudson Sewerage…
The run has been scheduled for April 6.
The City of Hoboken is organizing a 5K race to lift the city's spirits. On April 6, at 10 a.m., all Hobokenites are invited to participate in the "resilience run," that will start at First Street and Sinatra Drive. Those interested can register online. On race day registration will be available at 8:30am; Early package pick-up for pre-registered runners will be announced. The City of Hoboken announced it will donate a portion of Hoboken Resilience Run proceeds to the Rebuild Hoboken Relief Fund, the New Jersey Relief Fund, and the town of Port Maria in Jamaica, which was impacted by Hurricane Sandy.
Monday, April 1, 2013
The money is part of a $15M federal grants for Sandy-related costs.
The North Hudson Sewerage Authority — located in uptown Hoboken — will receive $1 million in FEMA funds "for emergency protective measures," according to an announcement from the Christie Administration. The NHSA — which serves Hoboken Union City, Weehawken and West New York — will be awarded federal funds for the use of force account equipment and contractors for storm preparedness, according to the state. The money will also be used to keep and restore the operations of their treatment facilities and pump stations following Sandy. The entire project costs $1.3 million, of which FEMA will pay $1 million. The rest of the roughly $15 million will go toward repairs at the Atlantic Highlands Harbor.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
The multi service center was heavily damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
Hoboken's seniors are looking for a place to play bingo. Ever since Hurricane Sandy destroyed the Multi Service Center, located at Second and Grand Streets, they have been searching for a suitable and accessable space to play their favorite game. A large group of seniors made their way to the council meeting on Wednesday night to ask the city council when the center will be opened. Director of Health and Human Services Leo Pellegrini said that the renovations will take at least four months. "Four months is modest," Pellegrini said. The city council recently approved a contract with an architect to renovate the building. The seniors have been playing bingo at the Elks Club, but have not been happy with that because of the location and …
There are 493 applicants that will receive a check from the Rebuild Hoboken Relief Fund.
A total of $974,309.46 is about to be distributed among almost 500 Hobokenites, according to Jackie Burton of the Rebuild Hoboken Relief Fund. According to Bernard Kenny, chairman of the fund, 493 checks will be mailed next week, each in the amount of $1976.46, to those Hobokenites impacted by Hurricane Sandy. The grant award was determined by the total funds available divided by the number of qualified applicants, Kenny announced on Wednesday. According to Kenny, the Rebuild Hoboken Relief Fund now will shift its focus to provide financial assistance in the case of future disasters, such as displacements of victims from major fires or floods. To that end, $15,000 will be held as a reserve fund, a small portion of which also will cover …
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Checks will be distributed soon, according to the committee.
The Rebuild Hoboken Relief Fund is ready to distribute 493 checks to the applicants who qualified for help, according to Jackie Burton, one of the members of the committee that runs the fund. Individuals as well as businesses will receive money, said Burton. A little more than 500 people applied to the fund, Burton said in an email to Patch. She said she couldn't yet say how much money will be given out, but every applicant will receive the same amount, she said. The fund has raised more than $1 million, with the help of a large donation from the Haven Savings Bank as well as a fancy gala in Hoboken in early February. The exact amounts will be announced by the committee that runs the fund on Wednesday morning, said Burton. More information…
The utility disputes a claim that projects will substantially increase bills for residential and industrial customers.
Public Service Electric & Gas is facing mounting opposition to its plan to spend nearly $4 billion to harden its power grid to prevent widespread outages during major storms. In a letter sent late yesterday afternoon to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, five of the state’s most prominent lobbying organizations urged the agency to reject out of hand or delay indefinitely PSE&G’s proposal, submitted to the agency in February. They said it would spike utility bills for both residential and industrial customers. Do you support PSE&G's plan? Click here to take part in a Patch readers' poll and make your voice heard. The concerns raised by the groups underscore how difficult it will be for the agency and the state’s utilities to …
Sue
12:15 pm on Thursday, May 2, 2013
Astronomical insurance rates based on FEMA's "fuzzy math" designed to bail out its 2005 Katrina debt. Congress must fix the Biggert-Waters Act before FEMA prices us out of our homes and destroys all low-lying areas (25% of USA)! ==> We're still hurting 6 months after Sandy... We're frustrated... We're MAD... We need action, not talk! ==> Come to the public protest rally Sat. May 4th, 2-3PM, at … more ›