Bayshore Sandy Survivor News: $17M in Clean Communities Grants, Blame Game Redux, Operation Provide Comfort, Housing Assistance Grant Deadline

'Normal' for some eludes others at Jersey shore UNION BEACH, N.J. (AP) — In this May 12, 2014 photo, Sue Sutton unfurls a tattered American flag that was one of only two items her family salvaged from their Union Beach N.J. home (the other was a doorknob) after it was destroyed by Superstorm Sandy. As the second summer after the Oct. 29, 2012 storm arrives, some at the Jersey shore are getting their lives back together, while for others, normal is still a long way off. http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/Normal-for-some-eludes-others-at-Jersey-shore-5495044.php

The BRSA Industrial Wind Turbine Blame Game Redux (June, 2012) Since our local sewer plant is back in the press pushing for a 38-story industrial wind turbine to be erected WAY too close to homes in Union Beach, I thought it a good time to include my blog from 2 years ago. http://holmdel-hazlet.patch.com/groups/bill-hellers-blog/p/bp--the-brsa-industrial-wind-turbine-blame-game

Official Says $882M in Sandy Aid Coming to NJ
A government official says a plan is in place for disbursing $2.5 billion in additional federal aid to New Jersey, New York City and New York state for Superstorm Sandy recovery. http://nj1015.com/official-says-882m-in-sandy-aid-coming-to-nj/

Federal Sandy Funds Fall Short, Officials Say
About $1 Billion May Not Go To New York and New Jersey Region making the sum less than what local officials say is needed to finish repairing homes and building major infrastructure projects. http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303980004579580460537562776

Christie: we have not forgotten about Sandy victims
"I don't think there's anybody who could logically think we've forgotten about them," Christie said...hundreds of thousands of families have been helped and are back in their homes. Now the ones that are left are the real difficult problems that need to be solved." http://www.myfoxny.com/story/25600708/christie-we-have-not-forgotten-about-sandy-victims

Sweeney. Advocates Announce Override Attempt Of Gov's Sandy Bill of Rights Veto
The override attempt will be a coordinated effort between legislators, the Housing & Community Development Network of NJ, New Jersey Citizen Action, the New Jersey Working Families Alliance, and other advocate communities. http://www.politickernj.com/73346/sweeney-advocates-announce-override-attempt-gov-s-sandy-bill-rights-veto

Christie Administration Announces More Than $17 Million in Clean Communities Grants | The Christie Administration today announced the award of more than $17 million in Clean Communities grants to help municipalities and counties conduct litter cleanup efforts that help beautify New Jersey’s communities and roadsides. http://www.nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2014/14_0048.htm?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Time running out for Sandy victims seeking cash assistance for temporary housing | The deadline for the Sandy Homeowner and Renter Assistance Program is May 30 for first-time applicants who live in the least-affected counties. People who live in the counties hardest hit by the Oct. 29, 2012 storm may apply through June 30. http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/05/time_running_out_for_sandy_victims_seeking_cash_assistance_for_temporary_housing.html

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice | Taking Cases. Changing Lives. - Get Help
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) provides FREE legal services to people with certain civil (non-criminal) legal issues. http://vljnj.org/get-help

JUST IN FROM OCEAN GATE, NJ | I want to thank our friends in Ocean Gate for letting us know that Wind Turbine Two was struck by lightning on Thursday and, to put it simply, got fried. Turbine neighbors there are "grinning from ear to ear" as the noise has been a real problem. Last year, after many complaints, the Ocean County Board of Health investigated and determined that the turbines exceed the legal noise limit. For now, the town can no longer run them at night. Hopefully, T2 will have to come down. The wind turbines there are baby ones with a capacity of 50 kilowatts each, about 1/30th the power capacity of the one the BSRA wants to erect. This in Scientific American: Wind Turbines Generate “Upside-Down” Lightning [Video] Wind salesmen never mention this. http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/2014/03/03/wind-turbines-generate-upside-down-lightning-video/

Ireland: Conference warns health effects of wind turbines should be taken seriously | Sleep disturbance emerging as major public health concern, particularly affecting children and older people. http://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/conference-warns-health-effects-of-wind-turbines-should-be-taken-seriously-1.1806514#.U39KLyndNhM.twitter
Memorial Day 2014: Events in Monmouth County
Communities throughout Monmouth County will commemorate Memorial Day with parades, wreath-laying ceremonies and other events this weekend. These are among the events planned, but see below for the Union Beach parade, not included in the article. http://www.nj.com/monmouth/index.ssf/2014/05/memorial_day_2014_events_in_monmouth_county.html

Uber launches on the Jersey Shore in time for Memorial Day weekend | Uber is rolling out its services across the Jersey Shore, making rides home from bars, clubs and the beaches more accessible. http://www.nj.com/monmouth/index.ssf/2014/05/uber_launches_on_the_jersey_shore_in_time_for_memorial_day_weekend.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Christie kicks off Memorial Day festivities at the Jersey Shore | Standing on the stark Belmar boardwalk still stripped of its businesses by Hurricane Sandy, Gov. Chris Christie this morning declared New Jersey beaches ready for Memorial Day revelers the second summer after the state’s worst natural disaster. http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/05/christie_kicks_off_memorial_day_for_the_jersey_shore.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Rotary Club of Madison donates iPads to Union Beach pre-K school | As a result of fund-raising at the Family Festival of 2013 by the Rotary Club of Madison, ten iPads with special educational software for developmentally challenged children at Union Beach pre-K school were presented to an excited group of students and their teachers. http://www.nj.com/independentpress/index.ssf/2014/05/rotary_club_of_madison_donates.html

The Colts Neck Business Association (CNBA) has donated $1,000 to Operation Provide Comfort | The goal of Operation Provide Comfort is to help the remaining 400 displaced families return home to Union Beach and not suffer another winter of uncertainty. http://nt.gmnews.com/news/2014-05-22/Business/BUSINESS_BRIEFS.html

Sandy grant not helping many homeowners, renters
The grant is fraught with problems. Mortgages are paid late, despite homeowners bringing the paperwork in with plenty of time to spare. Credit ratings are being affected. http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/opinion/readers/2014/05/21/sandy-grant/9382137/

Feds mull how to dredge polluted Passaic - and where to put contaminated muck | The agency's preferred option would extract 4.3 million — enough to fill Met Life Stadium twice over — from an eight-mile stretch. I hope they do the right thing as it all flows into Raritan Bay. http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2014/05/feds_mull_how_to_dredge_polluted_passaic_and_where_to_put_contaminated_muck.html

World Council for Nature: US wind farms kill 10-20 times more than previously thought | Wind farms kill over 100 million birds and bats a year worldwide. http://wcfn.org/

Beaches and water top notch, state says | Jersey Shore beaches are in fine shape overall and beachwater quality is outstanding heading into Memorial Day weekend, New Jersey's top environmental official said Thursday. http://www.app.com/story/news/local/2014/05/22/shore-beaches-ready/9439845/

Video Report: Medical Waste Washing Up on Bayshore Beaches | Heavy spring rains may be overwhelming sewage systems, sending the unsightly junk onto local beaches, NBC 4 NY reports. http://holmdel-hazlet.patch.com/groups/around-town/p/report-medical-waste-washing-up-on-bayshore-beaches71475

Eastern Produce Council donates salad bars | The Eastern Produce Council has donated salad bars to two New Jersey schools: Joseph Bolger Middle School in Keansburg and the Memorial School in Union Beach. http://www.thepacker.com/fruit-vegetable-news/Eastern-Produce-Council-donates-salad-bars-260279761.html

UNION BEACH CORNER | Jill Horner of Comcast Newsmakers speaks with Mayor Paul J. Smith of Union Beach at the NJ Conference of Mayors about the Borough. Recorded 5/1/2014. http://comcastnewsmakers.com/video/union-beach-update/ Congrats! Mayor Smith and Borough Administrator Jennifer Maier received the 2014 Government Partnership Award award from Monmouth County Workforce Investment Board at their 23rd Annual Partnership Awards ceremony held May 14th in Tinton Falls. http://www.ubnj.net/ubnj/News%20%26%20Announcements/Awards/

Union Beach Memorial Day Parade (Saturday May 24th between 10 AM and 4 PM )