Tuesday, February 19, 2013

SIA Newsletter 2 19 2013 - FEMA Meeting at Township Hall 10 am Saturday

To All Strathmere and Whale Beach Homeowners and Visitors,

We've been notified that there will be a FEMA Meeting this Saturday from 10 am to noon at the Township Hall, 2100 Tuckahoe Road in Petersburg.
If you have questions on the Advisory Base Flood Elevations or any other questions for FEMA, we suggest you attend.
We also suggest that you read the SIA Newsletter of February 11 before attending.
They have deliberately scheduled it for Saturday because many out-of-towners will be in Strathmere for the SFEC Winter Social at the Deauville Inn.

 
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Thanks for supporting the Strathmere Improvement Association!
 
Linda Bateman   
Elaine Holsomback      
Donna Diefenderfer       
Rosemarie Whelan                
Ken Weaver
 
 

Friday, February 15, 2013

SIA Newsletter 2 15 2013 - Flood Elevation FAQ's; WSJ Articles; SURF; No Trash Monday

To All Strathmere and Whale Beach Homeowners and Visitors,

Sorry to come back with another newsletter so quickly, but two of the links below are time-sensitive...
First, here is an excellent article on the Ocean City Patch.com, "Updated FAQ on New Jersey's Flood Elevation Rules".

Much of this information was included in our February 11 Newsletter, but this may help to make things clearer...

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An SIA member wrote us,

"Greetings – here are a couple Wall Street Journal articles which may be of interest to homeowners in Strathmere. As an FYI, the articles will be available for seven days (until February 21) - I’m a subscriber.


In the first link, above, there is a video on the left of the webpage in which WSJ's Leslie Scism explains why more than $200 million in insurance payments have been slow to flow from banks into the hands of homeowners.

Apparently, in many cases, FEMA and the insurance companies have released the funds for claims, but since many people have mortgages, the mortgage holders (banks) won't release the funds until they are sure the money is being used to repair home damage (their collateral). Since there are so many, the banks are overwhelmed with the volume.
 
 
 
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And, repeating...

SURF - For more than 90 days, homeowners waited for a check from their insurance company; some still wait. Their bills, however, do not. For many, the only funds received were from those raised by the Strathmere United Relief Fund (SURF). If you have already donated to the fund, we thank you. We still have folks in need and anticipate a renewed need in the spring when homes are reopened for the season. Please consider making a donation or another donation. Mail a check payable to the Strathmere United Methodist Church; please write SURF in the memo line and mail to PO Box 49, Strathmere, 08248.

As one recipient said: "The only bright spot in this whole disaster has been SURF. Knowing someone cared and was willing to help, went a long way toward my recovery."



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This Monday is Presidents' Day, and as a Township Holiday there will be no trash or recycling collected. Trash will be collected Tuesday, but recycling must be held until February 25.


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Remember to follow and "like" the SIA (click the "Thumbs Up" box ) on Facebook:
 

Upcoming Events - mark your calendars:
Fire Commission Elections Saturday, February 16, 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm
SFEC Winter Social at the Deauville Inn, Saturday, February 23, 6:00 pm
 

Let us know of additions or corrections!
 
And once again, check out Carol Baker's wonderful Strathmere History website at http://www.strathmere.net/


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The Strathmere Improvement Association includes all owners in Strathmere and Whale Beach and many visitors. It was founded in 1951 as a community organization with the simple objective of making Strathmere a better place. We are proud of the organization's many accomplishments over the years.

Please let us know if you have comments or suggestions for the newsletter or for SIA in general, or if you'd like us to change your e-mail address in our records.

You can contact us by responding to this e-mail at sia6@comcast.net 
or by mailing SIA at PO Box 57, Strathmere 08248.


Thanks very much for your continuing support of the Strathmere Improvement Association!
 
Linda Bateman   
Elaine Holsomback      
Donna Diefenderfer       
Rosemarie Whelan                
Ken Weaver
 
 

Thursday, February 14, 2013

SIA Newsletter 2 14 2013 - Sandy, etc; Elections Saturday; SURF (Please); NO TRASH MONDAY; Write Re: USPS

To All Strathmere and Whale Beach Homeowners and Visitors,

Happy Valentine's Day to All!


We have a number of items related to Sandy and the continuing saga of flood insurance rate increases..

The front page of the Press on February 13 had this story about the National Hurricane Center's Final Report on Sandy...
And in the same issue was a reprint of this editorial from the Washington Post...

Strathmere resident Lynn Fayter attended the Upper Township Committee Meeting in January and reports that she asked the Township to:


1. Hire a coastal engineer to investigate appealing the new zones.
2. Include all 700 homes in flood zones on the grant letter of intent for elevation money (there are 700 homes in Strathmere and on the mainland in flood zones). She says she felt it was unfair to only include people that called to request inclusion as Upper had failed to properly inform people of the potential for grant money. FEMA stated if a home was not included they would not receive money.

She then attended the February 11 Meeting and further reports that:

1. Upper budgeted money for a coastal engineer and may partner with Ocean City and/or the county to appeal the zones.
2. 500 homes were included in the letter of intent.


In this regard, Township Engineer Paul Dietrich reports that there is still information developing regarding the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and that the Township has not yet made any decisions.

Both Paul and Lynn have asked us to publicize that the deadline of March 1 for applying for an SBA loan to repair damage from Sandy is fast approaching.

 

Lynn says, "It's a very easy process and the SBA people are great. They are also based at the Ocean City Library for walk-ins. Non-primary (residence) people that rent qualify as a small business. The rates are low and better than home equity as they may not have to purchase flood insurance like they would for home equity (loans). Not positive but certainly something for them to pursue. The loan can sit there until they're ready for it, might be a good bridge for people that would need to wait for the ICC money which is not given until the house is raised." She also suggests that you use the term "mitigation against future damages" rather than "rebuilding" on your application...


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There was an article from the Upper Township Sentinel reporting on that February 11 Meeting and saying that Strathmere may get jitney service this summer...

 
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This Saturday, February 16, from 2:00 pm until 9:00 pm, elections will be held for the Strathmere Board of Fire Commissioners (Upper Township District #1).

There are three openings on the Board, and three candidates are running: Karen Mitchell and Ken Weaver for three-year terms and Randy Roash for a one-year term.


Also being voted on is the 2013 Fire Commission Budget of $75,975 to be raised from property taxes. Details here - http://www.uppertownship.com/Fire%20Companies/Fire%20District%20No%201/Budget%20and%20Audits/Summary%20of%20Adopted%202013%20Budget%20FD1.pdf
 

You may recall that in our January 20 newsletter, we reported that New Jersey passed a law mandating that all NJ Fire Commissions have a website up and available to the public by February 1, 2013. The law specified certain information that had to be included in the website. Upper Township agreed to host, at no charge, websites for the four Fire Districts in the Township, including posting information provided to them by the Commissions.
 
The Strathmere Fire Commission website beat the deadline and you can access it here - http://www.uppertownship.com/Fire%20Companies/district_number_1_index.htm

 Besides that link, you can find it on the left side of the Township homepage (second button from the top left).
Please take time to come out Saturday and vote - right after you dry off from SIC's Polar Bear Plunge - http://www.seawindsofseaisle.com/news/post/Sea-Isle-Polar-Bear-Plunge-2013-Weekend.aspx

 
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SURF - For more than 90 days, homeowners waited for a check from their insurance company; some still wait. Their bills, however, do not. For many, the only funds received were from those raised by the Strathmere United Relief Fund (SURF). If you have already donated to the fund, we thank you. We still have folks in need and anticipate a renewed need in the spring when homes are reopened for the season. Please consider making a donation or another donation. Mail a check payable to the Strathmere United Methodist Church; please write SURF in the memo line and mail to PO Box 49, Strathmere, 08248.

As one recipient said: "The only bright spot in this whole disaster has been SURF. Knowing someone cared and was willing to help, went a long way toward my recovery."


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This Monday is Presidents' Day, and as a Township Holiday there will be no trash or recycling collected. Trash will be collected Tuesday, but recycling must be held until February 25.
 
http://www.uppertownship.com/Road_Dept/2013/upper_township_public_works_resident_information.htm


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In our January 28 newsletter, we asked that you write concerning window hours at the Strathmere Post Office We hope you have. If not, please take a few minutes to do so. Again, your letter could be the one that causes the USPS to reconsider its decision and provide us with the morning window hours the community requested. Thanks!


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Remember to follow and "like" the SIA (click the "Thumbs Up" box ) on Facebook:
 
You'll get an early look at lots of things going on in Strathmere


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Upcoming Events - mark your calendars:
Fire Commission Elections Saturday, February 16, 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm
SFEC Winter Social at the Deauville Inn, Saturday, February 23, 6:00 pm
Let us know of additions or corrections!

And once again, check out Carol Baker's wonderful Strathmere History website at http://www.strathmere.net/

****************************************************************


The Strathmere Improvement Association includes all owners in Strathmere and Whale Beach and many visitors. It was founded in 1951 as a community organization with the simple objective of making Strathmere a better place. We are proud of the organization's many accomplishments over the years.
 
Please let us know if you have comments or suggestions for the newsletter or for SIA in general, or if you'd like us to change your e-mail address in our records.

You can contact us by responding to this e-mail at sia6@comcast.net
or by mailing SIA at PO Box 57, Strathmere 08248.


**************************************

 


Thanks very much for your continuing support of the Strathmere Improvement Association!


Linda Bateman   
Elaine Holsomback      
Donna Diefenderfer       
Rosemarie Whelan                
Ken Weaver

 


Strathmere Ensemble performs 2/17


The Strathmere Ensemble will be performing this Sunday February 17th in Sea Isle City at the United Methodist Church 4102 Central Ave.





 
 
 

Friday, February 08, 2013

SIA Newsletter 2 8 2013 - Tidal Flood Warnings!

To All Strathmere and Whale Beach Homeowners and Visitors,

Channel 40 is forecasting Minor Tidal Flooding for the 6:00 am and 6:30 pm high tides on Friday and Moderate Tidal Flooding for the 7:00 am high tide on Saturday.
Minor tidal flooding is often enough to damage cars on Bayview Drive; moderate tidal flooding is a foot higher and can be a real problem! Take care!



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We still have Strathmere folks in need, so the Strathmere United Relief Fund would very much appreciate your (additional) donations.
Please make checks payable to Strathmere United Methodist Church, Box 49, Strathmere, 08248. Write SURF in the memo line. Thanks for caring



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Remember to follow and "like" the SIA (click the "Thumbs Up" box ) on Facebook:
 
 
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Upcoming Events - mark your calendars:
Fire Commission Elections Saturday, February 16, 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm
SFEC Winter Social at the Deauville Inn, Saturday, February 23, 6:00 pm
 
Let us know of additions or corrections!

And once again, check out Carol Baker's wonderful Strathmere History website at http://www.strathmere.net/

 

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The Strathmere Improvement Association includes all owners in Strathmere and Whale Beach and many visitors. It was founded over 60 years ago as a community organization with the simple objective of making Strathmere a better place. We are proud of the organization's many accomplishments over the years.

 
Please let us know if you have comments or suggestions for the newsletter or for SIA in general, or if you'd like us to change your e-mail address in our records.

You can contact us by responding to this e-mail at sia6@comcast.net
or by mailing SIA at PO Box 57.
 

**************************************

 


Thanks very much for your continuing support of the Strathmere Improvement Association!
 
Linda Bateman   
Elaine Holsomback      
Donna Diefenderfer       
Rosemarie Whelan                
Ken Weaver

 
 
 

Tuesday, February 05, 2013

Schiavo Library: February 2013 Newsletter

Schiavo Library: February 2013 Newsletter

Downton Abbey::
If you’re enjoying the newest season of Downton Abbey on PBS, you might want to catch up on seasons one and two. We’ve got them on DVD. Borrow them for up to two weeks this winter. It makes a fun “marathon” weekend of viewing.

Food Bank Collection:
During January and February the library will be a collection point for donations for our area food banks. If you have any non-perishables that you would like to donate, please stop in.

Great Websites for Kids:
The ALA (American Library Association) has a website that recommends websites for kids. Here are a few of their newest additions:

Bedtime Math – www.bedtimemath.org
Climate Kids – www.climate.nasa.gov/kids
Fred Rogers Center Early Learning Environment – www.ele.fredrogerscenter.org
Turtle Diary – www.turtlediary.com
Butterflies and Moths – www.butterfliesandmoths.org

Here’s their website if you’re interested in further investigation: www.ala.org/alsc/


Happy Valentine’s Day::
Books are the BEST presents for any occasion. Here are some great choices for kids for Valentine’s Day. Recommended by James Patterson on his website: Read Kiddo Read – www.readkiddoread.com






Enjoy your winter and the snow!

Christine Rohrman, Library Director
www.strathmerelibrary.org