|
Hurricane Ernesto Leaves Area Beaches In Need Of Sand
By Jo Ann La Russo
 | | --Photo Courtesy Of Ortley Beach Property Association Senator Thomas Kean Jr., shown with Michael Forcella, president of the Ortley Beach Property Association. |
|
OCEAN COUNTY - While Ocean County officials began to calculate the storm damage done to their towns as a result of Hurricane Ernesto, many area residents spent the Labor Day holiday repairing damaged property along the shore coastline.
Ocean waves came up dangerously close to the street. Boats sank. Docks and finger piers were torn up, and there was no bait to be found on bulkheads by local fisherman.
While a mere shadow of the destruction seen last year on the Gulf Coast, Ernesto's local damage was extensive and beach erosion was widespread.
Ortley Beach Property Owners Association (OBPOA) president Michael Forcella said that residents' concerns heightened with the information that the storm does not qualify for federal funds.
Although the hurricane did not do enough damage to qualify the area for federal funds, when the figures come in from surrounding counties and the damage is estimated, Governor Jon Corzine will be in a position to seek federal assistance, he said.
The OBPOA met on Sunday to air their views and concern with Senator Tom Kean Jr., who visited Ortley Beach and Lavallette in a bid to show his support for beach replenishment.
Kean is running for the U.S. Senate in the November election against Senator Robert Menendez.
The senator spoke about the need for federal funds for beach replenishment.
"If we were standing here last night," Senator Kean said, "we would have been standing underwater. It is not unrealistic to expect funds from Washington for our needs and priorities."
Kean spoke to a residents and beachgoers in front of Joey Harrison's Surf Club, at a stop on his beach walk, on Sunday.
"We're losing our beaches," said Jill and Ted Pomarico, summer residents of Ocean County.
"The OBPOA is an advocate of beach replenishment for this northern barrier island of Ocean County," Forcella said in a prepared statement.
Joseph C. Barcellona, Surf Club manager and son of the owner, said that storms have caused waves to come up underneath the Oceanfront restaurant.
"Beach erosion is a major concern," Barcellona said. "We need funds to replace the beaches. Our economic base is established here. This is an important issue that needs to be dealt with."
| 
)