I'm sure many local politicians all over the state are publicly applauding CC's order while at the same time they are muttering to themselves "that s.o.b.".

he should start with an investigation on the corrupt politicians that are on Ashbritt's payroll!

Yes! We, who are still living in our bedrooms, would like very much to know where all the tax dollars/flood insurance money is being spent. We sure as hell don't see it here. Too bad it takes a special bill to require honesty from our elected and appointed officials. How sad is this?

We should be watching just who is buying the distressed ocean front properties at discounted prices. They are up for grabs, and all this "transparency" just may be code for "my friends can get discount prices"....we need to stay awake, people! Just because someone says there should be transparency doesn't mean there really is transparency. Many times, the people who say what the people want to hear just say it, and then go away....

...and do as they please. And, have town halls to make the "people" believe they are on our side...

"Stop FEMA Now" rally TODAY

It's a grassroots uprising!

Meet 'n' greet Saturday 2/9/12, 3-4 pm
Belly Busters Resaurant, 708 Fischer Blvd, Toms River NJ 08753

Disgruntled Jersey Shore property owners will strategize how to rectify FEMA overkill in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.

They say the government has made rebuilding extremely hard and prohibitively expensive for thousands of flooded residents.

"Flawed maps, ridiculously high elevation mandates and exorbitant annual insurance premiums will BANKRUPT the Shore and make it a ghost town - except for the wealthy".

"How about a class-action lawsuit? Petitions to White House, federal and/or state legislators? Letter-writing and email campaigns to news media? Rallies on steps of Statehouse and Congress? How about mass property tax appeals, because our homes are worth less than half of pre-flood values?

"Our 2 US Senators and state legislators are starting to notice our outrage and helplessness against FEMA, the insurance companies and do-nothing bureaucrats and politicians. Let's build on that momentum, and get results to really save the Shore from this 'disaster after the disaster.'

"United we stand, divided we drown in debt!"

I can live with the corruption___but what I cannot live with is that Christie gave a Florida Company hundreds of millions of dollars of cleanup work. I am pissed because EVERY Republican Congressman in the State of Florida voted AGAINST FEMA money for the northeast. With all of the FEMA help FL has received over te decades__you would think they of all States would have voted for FEMA asistane. One thing is sure___I wlll NEVER again vacation in FL or buy Flordia anything (OJ, oranges etc)

@Sal, Christie gave Ashbritt the contract because the lobbyist firm that represents Ashbritt is hosting a fundraising event for Christie in Virginia. I'm sure you can figure it out by now, put two and two together and the answer will be quite clear. Corruption at its best. Money talks and bullsh_t walks.

George,

Is the Saturday meeting still on? It could be difficult driving for some of us because we need some roads to be plowed and I'm not optimistic.

Many thanks.

Would love to attend the meeting, but I live in Whiting and hard to get there today with the weather. My Toms River house was destroyed. Please post if another meeting will be scheduled in the future.

Roads are fine. It's 15-20 mins. from you. As the gecko says, "Spend 15 mins. and save a bundle" -- like $30,000 a year in flood insurance premiums because you didn't spend $60,000 to raise your house. Thanks for that, FEMA and Christie.

The vultures are already circling... My neighbor sold his flood-zone house to a vulture buyer for less than $75,000. He gave up on living there when he heard what he'd have to spend for the rest of his life.

More than 250 homes have been listed for sale since the flood -- in Toms River alone. Many others previously for sale have significantly reduced their prices. Similar rush to leave in other Shore towns.

I'm a Realtor and I know my own home's value has dropped because of FEMA's onerous "pay now" (raise it for $60,000 if it were even possible to raise it) "or pay later" ($30,000 a year in flood insurance premiums) mandate.

I'll be at today's regional protest rally: "Stop FEMA Now"
Saturday 2/9/12, 3-4 pm, Belly Busters Restaurant, 708 Fischer Blvd, Toms River
See you there!

do not forget to talk about upcoming property tax hikes on property that is currently 2/3 its assesed value and dropping each week.......the 2014 property taxes will be the left hook you all do not see coming

The corrupt people will find a way to get around the "transparency" rule. When it comes to lining their pockets, they know all the tricks.

I really wish people would not post scare tatics. The fact is there are 103 waterfront homes in Toms River and Ortley Beach on the market right now. 47 of which came on the market since the storm hit. Not 250. and not all of these have suffered storm damage and some were on the market before Sandy and have just renewed their listings. And there is no mandate of $30,000 a year for insurance premiums, that is absurd. We would all go bankrupt if that's the case. Geez.Go to your meeting and please get the facts straight before you post and get people even more upset.

Worried about tax hikes? We need local spending cuts asap to help. We also need Federal spending cuts now. For those of you who voted for obama don't come crying when you get to keep less and less of your money.

Does anyone care that FEMA is giving "renters" more money who are not even renting??? Why doesnt FEMA pay the landlords directly to eliminate SOME of the fraud out there. Disgusting.

FEMA is about to run out of money...clearly not being managed right. Romney explained: "Every time you have an occasion to take something from the federal government and send it back to the states, that's the right direction. And if you can go even further and send it back to the private sector, that's even better.

Instead of thinking in the federal budget, what we should cut -- we should ask ourselves the opposite question. What should we keep? We should take all of what we're doing at the federal level and say, what are the things we're doing that we don't have to do? And those things we've got to stop doing, because we're borrowing $1.6 trillion more this year than we're taking in."

Who Has The MONEY?? Did the gov't or Fema really release $9 Bilion to pay insurance claims?? If they did release that money to the various insurance companies, have they bonded together and decided to keep it and make a bundle of interest? Certainly Gov. Christie must know where the money is but nothing is being told to us. Is it being invested in all the properties that will be sold for next to nothing. There is an AGENDA that we are not privy to. What do you think?

It would be great if it wasn't so easy for tricksy evil doers to steal government money intended for good uses, including those ones who sit in public office.

The biggest shame is that connected people are going to make it big with all this money that is being thrown around, and conflict of interest contractors, are sitting back and watching, and grinning like wolves, while volunteers are out there busting their butts. When will Christie step up and do the right thing. Don't reward your friends, Mr. Governor....do the right thing by the people who are suffering, and will continue to suffer if the money gets into the hands of greedy, lazy, corrupt individuals. Who do you represent?...your corporate friends, or the people of this state who need a hand.....the whole thing is sickening...

Ocean front bungalows in Midway Beach in S. Seaside Park is zone A-7. I'm in TR main land not on water, got no water in my house and I am A-9. WTF

If a home is less than 50% damaged and is now concidered in zone "a" but started repairs last month are they grandfathered in and do not need to elevate?

They , meaning the government aren't going to grandfather anything. You are SOL pretty much. If you didn't sustain the 50 percent then you technically don't have to, but the problem with that is you must check your elevation on the map to see if its changed, because if it has they will want you to go up. Also, you would be better off getting to the 50 percent if you have flood ins because then at least you could utilize the ICC. The bigger picture here is, that if you don't raise your flood ins will go up considerably in the next year. Also, if you try and sell your home in the future, it will be hard to find a bank that's going to give a mortgage on a home that's located in a flood zone. I have also heard in my town, that they will not issue CO's if the home isn't in compliance. I would fix your home and just wait and see what takes place come August when these maps become preliminary. I wouldn't rush into anything just yet because things may change. Also with ICC you have 4 years to complete the house raising.