Governor Tells Public: 'Get the Hell Back on the Beach' - Patch.com
First the governor talked about how the state has made great strides in getting the Jersey Shore ready for Labor Day weekend, opened roads and enabled thousands to move out of shelters back home.
"If you can afford to come down here this weekend, come, take a deep breath and enjoy the last beautiful weekend of summer and support the local businesses," he said.
Then a television reporter told him his "Go Back to the Shore" message was way too subtle.
"I've rarely been accused of being subtle," Christie said. And he knew a cue when it was handed to him.
"So I guess you want me to say, 'Get the hell back on the beach!' "
It was hard to tell who was tickled more: the TV reporters or the throngs of admirers pressing around the media cluster on Jenkinson's Boardwalk in Point Beach, in the blazing sun on Friday afternoon.
The National Weather Service predicts that weather will be fine down the Shore Saturday and Sunday, with rain moving in Sunday night for a possibly wet Monday.
Before and after his press conference, crowds swarmed Christie, asking to pose for photographs with him or to get his autograph.
But not everyone was impressed.
"If it was Jon Bon Jovi, then I'd be excited!" said Annette Brice of Pennsylvania, who was having a weekend family reunion in the resort.
Christie opened the press conference by mentioning the progress that's been made since Hurricane Irene paid her unwelcome visit.
Christie said that in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Irene there were 850,000 electric utility customers without power, now reduced to about 40,000.
When asked what he thought about JCP&L's job performance in Irene's aftermath, he said, "The state Board of Public Utilities is going to do a full investigation of all utilities, but I think particular attention will be focused on JCP&L."
When asked if he is doing anything now to compel JCP&L to help those still without power faster and more efficiently, he said, "Oh, we're all over the JCP&L folks. I told them I want this done by tonight at midnight or someone is going to have to answer for that."
He said there were 12 deaths statewide caused by the hurricane.
On Sunday afternoon, there were 711 roads that Irene had left impassable, but that number has been reduced to eight, Christie said.
The original number of 15,000 residents in shelters has been reduced to 450, he said.
Later, Michael Drewniak, Christie's press secretary, said, "The 15,000 represents the highest number sheltered at one time. We sheltered many more during the storm/flooding, but in waves."
Christie said he will meet with President Obama when he visits Paterson on Sunday to visit storm-torn areas.
"I'll tell him what's going on in New Jersey," he said. "We've had the worst flooding we've had in over 100 years."
Christie said FEMA is still assessing property damage and will then determine if any damaged Jersey Shore properties are eligible for FEMA aid, Christie said.
He said anyone whose property was damaged in the storm can call FEMA about filing a claim at 1-800-621-FEMA.
Christie urged the public to patronize Jersey Shore businesses this weekend to help merchants who count on the summer revenue "to sustain them through the winter."
When asked about the financial challenges faced by the municipality of Point Beach, Christie was less assertive.
Mayor Vincent Barrella, who was at the ramp at Arnold Avenue to greet Christie when he arrived on Friday afternoon, has often expressed frustration that state law does not allow the municipality to impose taxes on parking lot revenue, like Newark does, and alcoholic beverages.
He has said he has written to the governor and the state treasurer and even met with the treasurer, but never seemed to make headway.
When Christie was asked about that idea on Friday, he said, "When mayors, like Vincent, make recommendations to me, I'm going to listen within the context of the whole state," he said, gesturing towards Barrella, standing next to him.
"The mayor will be at Drumthwacket on Thursday, along with many other mayors, and I'll listen to what they have to say," Christie said.
03 Sep, 2011--
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