Thursday, December 13, 2012
John McKeon spoke Tuesday at the South Orange Department of Public Works
Assemblyman John F. McKeon unveiled a package of bills to ramp up utility infrastructure in the wake of Superstorm Sandy at a news conference on Tuesday at the Department of Public Works (DPW) facility in South Orange. "It's no accident that we're in South Orange for this announcement," said Village President Alex Torpey, who introduced McKeon, along with DPW Director Tom Michetti. In the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, Torpey said, a live wire fell across the facility's driveway, trapping DPW staff in the building. McKeon's proposed legislation is twofold, he said. First, he proposes that the state establish requirements for newly-installed and replacement electric utility poles and transmission towers, he said. The new poles are a …
Monday, November 12, 2012
Gas rationing will end, but stores remain crowded and the commute is difficult
The second full week post-Sandy brought some good news to the area: gas rationing ends Tuesday; power is back in most parts of town; NJ Transit has begun running Midtown Direct trains. However, life is far from normal days after the superstorm knocked out power for thousands in Essex County. Many residents note long lines for commuter buses and trains, and, surprisingly, in food stores. "Every store I've seen has been packed," said Julia Stern of South Orange. "I think we all need to restock refrigerators and freezers. Add to that the disruption of all the travel; the food couldn't travel either." And with many residents getting power back over the weekend, local grocery stores have been crowded. "Not to mention," says shopper Amanda …
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Santola: Township expects 95 percent of township to have power restored by midnight tonight, election polling stations ready, gas stations open.
Life is returning to almost-normal conditions in Livingston Sunday, nearly a week after Hurricane Sandy beared down on the township, Mayor Stephen Santola said Sunday morning. The mayor said he has been in contact with both JCP&L and PSE&G and has been told by company officials there will only be “isolated pockets” of the township without power by midnight Sunday. “At least 95 percent of the township has power,” Santola said around 11:30 a.m. Sunday. He was waiting for a call from JCP&L officials on which schools had power, but was unable to say at the time if there will be school in the township on Monday. Santola also said:
Friday, November 2, 2012
If you can help your Essex County neighbors, respond using the hashtag #EssexNeeds.
- NEWS
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Friday, November 2, 2012
Want to help folks affected by Hurricane Sandy? Provide a trade or skill or make a connection for someone affected by the storm? People in the Tri-state area are still reeling from the storm. Many remain without power, lights, heat and are struggling to find gasoline for their cars and generators. Patch wants to help. We are providing a forum where residents can donate to others to help them through the aftermath of the storm. Do you have a skill or work in a trade where you would be willing to help out someone who needs a friend or neighbor right about now? If you’ve lost possessions in the storm, this forum may be able to help you. Do you have an item to donate? Is there an item you need? You can use this forum to connect with others who…
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Essex County executive and Gov. Chris Christie have conference call with President Barack Obama post-Sandy.
According to one elected official, one positive development in the aftermath of post-Sandy is the partnership between Republican Gov. Chris Christie and President Barack Obama, a Democrat. On Thursday, two days since Hurricane Sandy tore through the Northeast devastating parts of New Jersey, the two leaders had a conference call. Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr., said he was part of the call and said the federal government has been receptive to the state's needs. "I was thanking the president and the governor for their leadership," said DiVincenzo, whose county largely remains without power. "The governor's staff has been extraordinary. It's been a great partnership." DiVincenzo said besides pledging help from the Federal …
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Township working on returning roads, life to normalcy.
[UPDATED 6:30 P.M.] Livingston Township Manager Michele Meade said late Wednesday no roads in the township are impassable but some streets have barriers in place and people may have to go a bit out of their way to get where they want to go. Meade praised townships departments including the public works and police for their nonstop efforts to return township life to normal. “These guys are amazing,” she said, “ They’re doing what they have to do under trying conditions to get the job done.” Much like last October’s nor’easter, the township is using wooden barriers to prevent traffic from going down certain streets and residents are reaching destinations by going slightly out of their way to get there. “No section is any worse off than any …
40.78174
-74.315575
Livingston Township - Township Clerk's Office
357 S Livingston Ave, Livingston, NJ
/articles/livingston-focus-on-restoring-power
36086
/locations/8087503
40.784061
-74.319198
Livingston High School
30 Robert H Harp Dr, Livingston, NJ
/articles/livingston-focus-on-restoring-power
60033
/locations/8087504
Monday, October 29, 2012
The county's zoo is closed Monday and Tuesday
The Turtle Back Zoo is closed on Monday and Tuesday for the storm, but that doesn't mean nobody's at the zoo. Staff have prepared the animals for the storm, according to Facebook posts. That preparation included, on Sunday, "moving animals, stocking food and potable water, generators, heaters, putting away things that will fly away, putting hay bales around possible areas that may flood, and on and on and on." The post noted, "Our staff is fantastic," adding that a group of zoo employees stayed through Sunday night to care for the animals. Monday's report noted that "everything is fine." The zoo has power and "animals and staff are well." To follow along, click here or here.
Gov. Chris Christie requested declaration, which allows state to receive federal aid.
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Monday, October 29, 2012
President Barack Obama issued an emergency declaration for New Jersey, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to make federal aid available to the state before Hurricane Sandy's arrival. On Sunday, Gov. Chris Christie formally requested the president declare a pre-landfall emergency for New Jersey. FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency, according to a press release issued by the agency. Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding. "This assistance will enhance the State's capability to respond quickly and put assets into place where they are needed to help …
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Governor said Hurricane Sandy is poised to strike New Jersey between Atlantic City and Toms River.
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Sunday, October 28, 2012
Governor Chris Christie formally requested President Barack Obama declare a pre-landfall emergency for New Jersey, according to a press release issued by the governor's office. The declaration would allow the state to request funding and other assistance for actions taken in advance of Hurricane Sandy. "We have taken this action to assist communities which have taken extraordinary measures to insure the safety of the public during this very serious and dangerous storm," Christie said in the release. Hurricane Sandy is expected to bring flooding, high winds and heavy rain across the state over a period of 36 hours starting early Monday morning. During a press conference in Pompton Lakes on Sunday afternoon, Christie said the hurricane is …
Saturday, October 27, 2012
The local ShopRite stores are restocking with hurricane necessities
items that customers tend to stock up on before a storm, including water, ice, batteries, milk and bread. ShopRite’s warehouse and transportation departments continuously monitor the weather and will stay in close contact with all stores during the predicted storm to ensure the needs of all ShopRite customers are met during this time. “We understand that weather conditions are expected to be severe, so we are doing everything we can to ensure that our customers have what they need to be prepared in advance of the storm,” said ShopRite spokesperson Karen Meleta. Customers are encouraged to check the official ShopRite Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/shoprite.supermarket) for news on store closings and tips on how to be prepared for …
Susan
3:27 pm on Thursday, December 13, 2012
The problem actually is that the utilities have become beholden to shareholders, not ratepayers or communities. As a result, they DIDN'T do the "few" along the way that should have been done - instead, the shareholders put the money in their pockets. So what's needed is a government with teeth (not captured by the private interests) who will demand that these changes are made (as they used to do… more ›