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Me May 21, 2013 at 12:33 pm
Warren: Not sure what the burger comment is about? But we all have our opinions and the Patch is a…Read More good place to express them. I guess we will have to agree to disagree on who gets the blame and at least you agree that we can’t blame all of the damage on voting no in 2006. But can we all agree that we should try and get it right this time?
Me May 21, 2013 at 10:01 am
BARRY, I was there too and you are right, we can't re-write the past and hindsight is always 20/20.…Read More All I'm saying is there is no real need to bash surfers and surfrider at every opportunity they were not the cause of all of this woe. The fact of the matter is that Sandy was one big bad SOB that caused all this damage. Blaming some group isn't going to change that. The bay issues were raised as were the other ones at the time those are facts that are on record unless we were the ones voting and deliberating on the issue in the city council chambers we will never really know the true reasons behind the “No” vote by the council. People are just searching for someone to blame when there is really no one to blame but the weather. We live on a sand bar and whether we admit it or not we all knew or should have known that it would happen one day. IF the dunes had been built higher and the boardwalk was stronger people would now be screaming why didn’t they address the bay side in 2006 it would it have saved us all and found some scapegoat to call names and say they are to blame. That is just the nature of people. Let’s just move on and try and get it right this time and rebuild as best we can. That is all I am trying to say.
barry greene May 20, 2013 at 08:42 pm
I love the surf culture in lb. the town should be a surfing town, but Me, you should fess up…Read More already. the opportunity to build a better boardwalk with taller, stronger dunes was on the table in 2006. I was curious and went to those board meetings. the surfers brought a lot of people. the surfriding assoc came as well (maybe have the name wrong, but they were from NJ). they made a lot of noise. I remember the opposition to the dredging. it would "kill" the surf. the quality of sand would be horrible. the complaints and opposition were fierce. there was no real estate or bayfront concerns. that is just pure baloney. the surfers scared off an inept board and it was dead. point lookout was the beneficiary of lb's stupidity. we got hit harder than we would have. yeah, the bay flooded, but what came from the ocean, especially the SAND, caused enormous damage. damage that probably would have been reduced if we had a TALLER, STRONGER boardwalk and DUNES. it was a while ago. let's get past it, but please Me, stop denying and re-writing what the true story really is. PLEASE
Me May 16, 2013 at 02:11 pm
Another stupid study!!!!!! The city already commisioned its own study in 2009 for the beach and bay…Read More and ignored it just like they ignored the "Master Plan" from 2007. So now we will have another study they will likley ignore if they don't get their heads out of their collective butt.
Linda Marie Leone-Ricioppo May 14, 2013 at 07:15 am
the last time anything similar to this happen was hurricane Donna in 1960. Ya think FEMA is…Read More overreacting!
tim stimus May 13, 2013 at 02:59 pm
I agree...Long Beach is going from 1 story bungalows to 3 story houses...btw that's my house between…Read More the construction
lori May 4, 2013 at 08:29 am
Thank you for saving Frank and his pug, Truman! They have returned home!
Alyssa Brown May 3, 2013 at 07:53 pm
I am completing research for Adelphi University on peoples opinions and reactions about Hurricane…Read More Sandy and its aftermath. We would really appreciate if you could complete the short survey and it will be used to help Long Island. Please share with your neighbors! This is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-H-WBI6QgMWAa58kQjMyFQLGOWHU5c_BL66bCLpKLDY/viewform
carol scott May 5, 2013 at 10:04 am
once again evidence that insurance companies are ruthless criminals and we are all better off…Read More starting our own savings accounts with the monthly premium money .. another key to the whole thing .. underground oil tanks .. which are accidents waiting to happen.. playing russian roulette with nature? we are bound to lose
Bee HappyLB May 4, 2013 at 12:27 pm
Yes Tony that's the problem. When this happened eight years ago they had no idea that it would take…Read More so long and they would have to pay so many bills (legal, geologic etc) to get to get some corrective actions (remediation etc). One million dollars later the insurance companies are hoping they are tapped out and will go away.
Tony in Long Beach May 4, 2013 at 12:05 am
Am I the only one who figures they could have bought a new house with that million ?
beachbingo May 1, 2013 at 11:48 pm
Anyone know who has to write the application for HGMP? I have heard some say the town/city will have…Read More to access federal funds for you thru NYS.
Just a Resident May 1, 2013 at 10:22 pm
What a waste of time. City officials should be ashamed of themselves as should the FEMA reps.
brandon May 1, 2013 at 06:50 pm
Long Beach, New York, Code of Ordinances >> PART II - CODE OF ORDINANCES >> Chapter 16 -…Read More NOISE >> ARTICLE II. - PROHIBITED ACTS >>
Section G:
No person shall engage in, cause or permit the loading, unloading, opening, closing or other handling of boxes, crates, containers, building materials or similar objects between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following day in such a manner as to cause unreasonable noise across a residential real property boundary.
Hank May 1, 2013 at 09:53 am
As long as the condos have parking in the building this is exactly the kind of development Long…Read More Beach needs. As far as building height goes, if you bought property across from an emply lot and expected to have a view forever, well..... I say go for it and good luck. Now lets get going on the super block.
Alyssa Brown May 3, 2013 at 07:55 pm
I am completing research for Adelphi University on peoples opinions and reactions about Hurricane…Read More Sandy and its aftermath. We would really appreciate if you could complete the short survey and it will be used to help Long Island. Please share with your neighbors! This is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-H-WBI6QgMWAa58kQjMyFQLGOWHU5c_BL66bCLpKLDY/viewform
Peg Meerkatz May 1, 2013 at 02:27 am
Where am I 6 m after Sandy? In LIMBO! The condo I lived at priced us out as far as returning. Lived…Read More w/ my mom & she sold the condo at a huge loss.
We are in an apartment that is smaller than my bedroom in the condo. Supposed to move by 5/31 but having difficulty getting 2 bed 2 bath that is affordable.
Got screwed by Project Hope (no Hope) TWICE & not getting the assistance I need to replace wheelchair & things for the business I am starting.
I not only lost ALL of my material possessions in the storm I lost much of my faith in people. I can count on less than 1 hand those that came through for me mostly I just get false promises & the run around. I know that life will never be the same. Wherever the funds from the fundraisers & donations are going I haven't a clue but I have concluded any additional help I get (I got a little help from FEMA) will be of my own doing. There is a LACK OF FUNDS, LACK OF SUPPORT GROUPS, LACK OF CARING - need I go on?
My life has been forever changed by Sandy & I will never see life or people the same way again.
I will somehow get my busines off the ground because I am determined to succeed and show all those who have tried to drag me down these past 6 months that I could do it despite them. I won't ask for help again from places like the SBA, Project No Hope & the like they have kicked me down as far as I can go. I have perservered for the last 51 largely through my own efforts & will continue to do the same. From what I have seen the little guy simply get lost in the shuffle when it comes to Sandy aid.
Mary Warden April 30, 2013 at 02:14 pm
Theresa is so right . . . I have moved to a different location in Long Beach. My old neighbor, who…Read More has been a detriment to the United States/Long Beach tax payer, had NO insurance (again, his own fault) and is getting all the damage on his house done for free. Makes me sick to my stomach.
mom in town May 15, 2013 at 04:48 pm
Take note that Spring Lake, a well managed and wealthy town, has the lowest cost per mile. A…Read More similar straight run of boardwalk in nearby Asbury Park, poor and corrupt, is $12 million per mile. Trust me the corruption exists.
barry greene April 25, 2013 at 10:44 am
well said Tideline. doesn't seem to be any cognitive or cohesive plan here. just a mad dash to…Read More look good before an election. so many photo ops around town with Jack and Gordie, but little in the way of the plan. at the last few board meetings mandel just brushed questions off at an alarming rate. either he is clueless or actively covering up the real facts.
at the heart of the matter are two things, 1-why is there no real effort to help the homeowners whoare still not home (many) and 2-why was the entire boardwalk ripped down and a $44 million contract given out before fema and the army corps gave the town confirmation of funds and planning? this is alarmingly similar to last year's budget folly when they sent out mailers thanking politicians for the deficit relief when they never had it. will slimfast mandel bring petitions against fema and the army if we come up short? will he refuse to answer those questions? are there funds budgeted for Frans next fall? or Happy Len's next generator? very sad
Gary A Wexler April 26, 2013 at 06:45 pm
just as there are some lots being subdivided, there is at least one case of two lots being combined…Read More to create a monster house in the WE. And regarding 30 foot tall houses... we have to get used to it because with the new FEMA guidelines, that's what many people will be doing in order to have both a tall foundation AND the room they want... otherwise the flood insurance will be astronomical. And if you have a mortgage, you are forced to have flood insurance in most cases.
Me April 17, 2013 at 09:57 am
@Barrry, there isn't anything being scooped up for 70-80 grand in the WE. Take a look at sold…Read More properties on MLS and you will see that gutted. "as is" WE homes are selling for around $200K. There may have been some desperate people who unloaded homes quickly after the storm but that isn't the case anymore. The WE will soon also take on a whole new charector as all these new houses are getting built and I am sure the usual suspects will be involved especialy when it comes to sub-dividing any double lots and granting variances.
canaler joe smith April 16, 2013 at 11:10 pm
Probably yes, depending on your personal situation, because this time the bad guys have all the…Read More bullets. In today's world that would be money, influence and the ability to bend the city leaders to it's liking. It's disgusting but very real. And it is not only here unfortunately, it's everywhere, so know where you're running to if that is your choice. I admire your spirit Ms. Wright and wish you Good Luck ...
Me April 16, 2013 at 05:02 pm
The way some blocks are looking it looks like the bombs have already been dropped.
AEA President April 16, 2013 at 04:53 pm
its called the nuclear option - bring the whole neighborhood down
Me April 11, 2013 at 01:02 pm
@MikeC: Nobody in New Orleans itself were required to raise their homes as they are protected…Read More (sometimes) by the levee system. The state can use the HMGP money as part of an overall flood protection program instead of giving to the individual homeowners. Which is what they did and poured money into the levee system. In the outlying areas that are not protected by Levees they did give money to people to raise their homes. I can’t say it was mandated I think the mandated requirements came post Katrina and were really given teeth with the 2012 changes to law that eliminated any grandfathered/subsidized rates for houses that were not raised after being found substantially damaged.
Ocean Gypsy April 11, 2013 at 11:56 am
after all is said and done...long beach residents will have achieved poor credit ratings....and this…Read More city will be a ghost town...and our beach...with no boardwalk, just about everyone from anywhere will come to visit (free) just walk right onto the beach....and treat it like garbage...
Theresa Buonomo April 5, 2013 at 10:06 pm
Has Long Beach Politicos gone complete mad? Every week there is a new story about what residence…Read More should do with their homes. Not one of our politicians has done a thing to aid the people whose houses were inundated with water, sewage and only God know what else. Not only have they raised taxes but no one has come forward to try to do a dams worth for the home owners. I cannot listen to anymore of the propaganda that has been going on since Sandy. Insurance companies and every other agency has taken advantage of this situation. PLEASE no more about the boardwalk and other nonsense.
Eddie April 3, 2013 at 03:28 pm
Me is correct on all counts. And yes, grandfathering is gone. Congress is due to report on an…Read More "affordable" study this month. The study seeks a new subsidy program based on owners' and renters' income. More welfare that you and I will pay for. This and other nonsense should call for cries of middle-class property confiscation. Contrary to one dolt's blabbing above, the 2012 Flood Insurance Act was signed by all of Long Island's congressmen and senators, Republicans and Democrats alike. It is that act that is abolishing "subsidies" to what is nothing more than a tax and basically rendering your homes valueless in a few years. Contact your representatives, don't cry here. And don't wait to read about any of this in the Tarp-money-accepting government-controlled media. What you are reading from Me and Will and Eddie is the truth. Look it up yourself.
Wobbly Jones April 1, 2013 at 01:50 pm
The waters-Biggert Flood Insurance Reform Bill.
Here is a summary.
The 2012 Fema handbook is out…Read More dated.
http://www.floods.org/ace-files/documentlibrary/2012_NFIP_Reform/2012_NFIP_Reform_Act_ASFPM_Summary_of_Contents.pdf
Wobbly Jones April 1, 2013 at 01:45 pm
Grandfather is dead. Get it through your head. Look at YOUR insurance policy declaration page and…Read More learn what situation the GOP and the Sierra Club put YOU in.
It says " Grandfatered: NO"
Simpla as that.
Jonathan Kaplan March 30, 2013 at 11:15 pm
Jimmy McMillan said the rent was 2 damn high and he did get quite a few people who agreed
Charlie Cheswick March 29, 2013 at 05:12 pm
Frank, pay no mind to the daily kvetchers on LB Patch. They'd complain about Cindy Crawford's mole…Read More if she showed interest.
Welcome back, Eddie's comments above seem about right.
Richard Horn March 25, 2013 at 11:11 am
National Grid sucks. I can't even get a bill. The customer service is awful. I hope they go out…Read More of business. You would think they want the customers to pay bills.
JudyAnn March 23, 2013 at 11:06 pm
PS The event in November is the Angel Tree Annual Christmas fundraiser that helps the families…Read More mentioned above - the event has been hosted at The Bridge View Catering Hall, but this year, due to Sandy, it was hosted at a different restaurant in our own West End Community! Hope to see you at the next concert... hope to see you make a donation at the next year's annual Angel Tree event.... Respectfully submitted.
JudyAnn March 23, 2013 at 10:59 pm
I have five children who play instruments and sing in the music department of our Long Beach Public…Read More School District. They have performed in the pit orchestra for musicals that have brought revenue for the ensuing years' expenses. This evening, my son is singing with the N. Great Neck School District to raise money for damage done to our school's property as a result of Sandy. Instead of complaining about taxes given lowered enrollment, perhaps we need to think about what these involved students and teachers do. At Christmastime, the jazz band plays during the first hour; this money helps families in this town who are about to lose their homes due to high taxes and mortgages and for children who would not have toys under the tree. Children will go to camp and college with the money raised from this event. Our students perform on their time, on their birthdays, locally and in towns far away, because they put their loyalty to their schools first. Perhaps you could look at the inherent value of these children being involved vs. being out on the streets costing us unnecessary police patrol. They are on a school bus on a Saturday night, returning from a performance that will bring money to replace damaged instruments. I am so proud of those children. What are you thinking? Get rid of the Long Beach Music Department and you will find yourselves kicking yourself when our children cannot compete with other countries because there is a correlation between music and success with mathematics skills. I feel sorry for anyone who thinks that getting rid of music in our schools is going to improve the financial situation. I am a fan of Steve Adelson and I am sure he would agree - music is art and music brings pleasure, knowledge, and success - it especially works well for students who have talent and cannot shine elsewhere, be it a learning disability or a medical disability. Not all students can play sports or shine in science or social studies. Now with the Common Core Standards, music will be integrated across the curriculum. Music is the international language of the world! I will not insult anyone for ignorance about the benefits of music, but I implore you to look at the bigger picture and at all the things these kids do, on their time, for no pay, before you suggest removing a vital part of their curriculum. Kudos to all the music teachers who engage our students and who have brought recognition to our city for your children and grandchildren!
Matt Markell March 24, 2013 at 06:20 pm
That has to be the best story I've read in months. Good for you and may God bless.
Mary March 23, 2013 at 08:47 pm
Congrats to you and your family Lori.. You have always been a great neighbor! xoxo...Love Mary
LMB March 20, 2013 at 09:27 am
There should be more stories like this one but very happy for family.
Me March 12, 2013 at 09:45 am
There is a lot of fear mongering regarding the flood insurance rates. In general for your primary…Read More residence unless you were found "substantially damaged" and did nothing to mitigate in your rebuilding process your flood rate does not change as far as I can see in reading the July 2012 changes to the law. The increases kicks in when the home is sold or you refuse to do the mitigation work if they offer you ICC coverage. The issue will be, can these “investors” (read house flippers) get in an out with the home sold before the new rates become effective Here is some Q&A info from FEMA and a link to some good info.
Q: How has the flood insurance program changed and what does it mean to me?
A: On July 6, 2012, a law took effect that made significant reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Among other things, this law requires FEMA to take immediate steps to eliminate a variety of existing flood insurance subsidies. Under the new law, flood insurance premium rates on many properties in special flood hazard areas will increase. The new rates will reflect the full flood risk of an insured building and some insurance subsidies and discounts will be phased-out and eventually eliminated. Rates on almost all buildings that are, or will be, in special flood hazard areas will be revised over time to reflect full flood risks. Based on various conditions set forth in the law, subsidies and grandfathered rates will be eliminated for most properties in the future. Subsidies will be phased out for the following types of properties: non-primary residences, severe repetitive loss properties, business properties, and properties that have incurred flood-related damages where claims payments exceed the fair market value of the property. Policy rates will also increase based on one or all of the following circumstances:
• After a change of ownership;
• After there is a lapse in insurance coverage;
• When a new or revised flood insurance rate map is issued; or
• If there is substantial damage or improvement to a building.
Q: How are flood insurance premiums changing under the new law and who will it impact?
A: Starting Jan. 1, 2013, premium rates for subsidized non-primary residences will begin increasing. Rates will increase 25 percent per year until they reflect the full risk-rate. Later in 2013, there will be premium rate increases for additional categories of subsidized properties, including business properties, substantially damaged or improved properties, severe repetitive loss properties, and any property that has incurred flood-related damages where claim payments exceed the fair market value of the property. Rates for these additional categories of properties will phase in at a rate of 25 percent per year until they reflect full risk rates. Additionally, in late 2013, FEMA will begin to apply full risk rates to policies written for newly purchased property. Beginning in 2014, premium rates for other properties, including non-subsidized properties, will increase as new or revised flood insurance rate maps become effective and full risk rates are phased in for these properties. These premium rate increases will include properties in areas that have received new or revised flood insurance rate maps since July 6, 2012 (the date of enactment of the new law). Additionally, even if you build to minimum standards today, you will be subject to significant rate increases upon remapping if your flood risk changes in the future.
http://twp.berkeley.nj.us/docs/PR/2013/NFIP%20CHANGES%20BROCHURE.pdf
Eddie March 11, 2013 at 09:53 pm
The "base flood elevation" mandated by FEMA is not a scientifically derived number. There…Read More was a time when it represented the 1% or "100-year flood" risk. That changed in 2006, when the National Flood Insurance Program faced lots of red ink and it became necessary to bring in many new "clients" as they call those forced to pay into the fund. Now there is talk of changing the program to "disaster" insurance and requiring all federally backed mortgage holders to pay. Houses on pilings are required in certain flood zones subject to wave action. "Self-insurance" isn't an option if you have a FannieMae or FreddieMac mortgage. It's not permitted. To those mortgagors, flood insurance is simply another tax. And if your home is post-1974 and the lowest floor is four feet below BFE, those $9,700 premiums will be reality in the future.
Beachguy March 11, 2013 at 08:36 pm
Many beachside communities mandate new houses must be elevated on pilings. Nothing new there.
Re…Read More flood insurance-- at $9,500 per annum if you have the money and discipline then consider self insurance. Put the money In a segregated account and pray there is not another Sandy in the near future.
Not a lot of good options here.
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