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.

The Upper Township Gazette reported on the meeting here - http://www.shorenewstoday.com/snt/news/index.php/upper-township/upper-township/34799-upper-other-shore-towns-prepare-to-fight-new-flood-maps.html
 

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.

 

A website that explains it and has an online link to apply is here - http://www.fema.gov/news-release/2013/02/11/deadline-approaches-return-sba-disaster-loan-application-march-1

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:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Strathmere-Improvement-Association-SIA/18481013490620

 

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/

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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.

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


Linda Bateman   
Elaine Holsomback      
Donna Diefenderfer       
Rosemarie Whelan                
Ken Weaver

 

SURF Update

The SURF committee has been reaching out to homeowners, and in true Strathmere style, the response is often, "there's probably someone else who needs it more." When you have walls and floors ripped out, when you see Servpro more than you see your family, and when your insurance company still hasn't told you what they'll be sending you, YOU need some help.

Please help others by donating to SURF via the Strathmere United Methodist Church, Box 49, Strathmere 08248. AND, get in that last tax deduction for the year!

More from SURF: More than 20 homeowners have received help in the form of cash, gift cards and almost more importantly, visits from others bearing hot meals, some expertise and advice on remediation, and others with a shoulder to lean on and a cup of coffee to share while listening. One recipient said he has never felt so connected in town-with strangers he now considers friends. And that's what it's all about. Please help by donating to SURF. The committee has not heard of one homeowner who has received confirmation from his/her insurance company of how their claim will be settled-meanwhile mold doesn't wait and people need to be able to live in their homes.

SURF - Strathmere United Relief Fund - for Strathmere homeowners recovering from Hurricane Sandy

 

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, our community has united

to bring immediate relief to Strathmere and Whale Beach.

The Strathmere United Relief Fund

Here’s how you can help

 

Dear friend, A few days ago, while strolling through Strathmere, one might have thought there was some kind of freak-show yard sale going on all over town. At first glance, it seemed like a trash-picker’s holiday. Not so fast.
 

 

Hurricane Sandy ravaged our favorite seashore town. While the beach fared well, and the dunes did their job in stoic fashion, the swollen bay waters were devastating. Floodwaters as high as four and five feet poured through our friends’ and neighbors’ homes. And within hours, a heartbreaking bazaar of sodden mattresses, easy chairs, refrigerators, carpet, sheetrock and flooring, and priceless family treasures lined our little streets in testimony to Sandy’s awesome power.

 

Because it’s Strathmere and Whale Beach, however, folks came rushing to help. The clean-up began immediately, and as the first night fell on the morning after, it was clear this event was unlike anything most of us had seen in our lifetime. We realizd our community is in serious trouble.
 

Because we are Strathmerians, we will rise to the occasion and get through this. This is a community of proud, fiercely independent individuals. Simply put, we take care of our own. Our little barrier island is blessed with five highly engaged civic organizations, and they have come together to create the Strathmere United Relief Fund (SURF).

 

Citizens for Strathmere & Whale Beach, the Strathmere Fishing &  Environmental Club, the Strathmere Improvement Association and the Strathmere United Methodist Church are working together to raise money to help those who need our help now.

 

We need your cash to help some folks bridge the gap between insurance and reality. We need your cash to help some folks have a temporary roof over their heads. We need your cash to help others make it through Sandy’s aftermath in too many ways to list here.

 

Dollars aren’t the only way you can help. Cash in your credit card points and donate gift cards to Home Depot or Walmart or Amazon or anywhere else folks can get what they need to rebuild their lives. What we don’t need is furniture or bed linens or any other physical goods. We simply have no storage space.

 

A team of representatives from each of the aforementioned community groups will administer SURF to ensure that help goes to those who most need it. Their names and email addresses are at the bottom of this letter.

 

Everyone who lives in Strathmere and Whale Beach – full-time or part-time – may be eligible. And we promise to keep everyone’s personal circumstances confidential.

 

 

 Let’s face it. There are some folks who will never ask for assistance. So if you know people on your block or in your neighborhood that need help, please encourage them to ask. There are many resources available to all of us, and a very comprehensive FAQ sheet is attached to help you understand what’s there and how to proceed. But if you or anyone you know needs immediate help, it’s here for the asking.

 

The trustees of the Strathmere United Methodist Church will manage the emergency financial resources in a separate SURF account. These volunteers will ensure that every tax-deductible dollar contributed goes to hurricane relief and to no other purpose.

 

Please make your check to:

Strathmere United Methodist Church

and send it to Surf, Box 49, Strathmere, NJ 08248.

 

Please designate “SURF” in the memo section of your check. You may send gift cards to the same address.

 

To reach out for help, or to let us know of anyone who needs help, please feel free to contact any of the SURF volunteers listed below.
Or send an email to StrathmereSurf@yahoo.com

Your communications will be held in the strictest of confidence, we promise.

During times like these, Strathmerians prove why our town is unlike any other along the Jersey shore. We take care of our own. And we know you’ll help today.

 

Thank you

Strathmere United Relief Fund  

Linda Bateman, Strathmere Improvement Associatiom - lcbateman@comast.net
 

Gary Riordan, Strathmere United Methodist Church - gjriordan77@gmail.com

Bob Roland, Trustee: Strathmere United Methodist Church - Stone234@aol.com

PS: Make your check out to

 
Strathmere United Methodist Church and designate

“SURF” in the memo or with a cover note.

Mail it to:
SURF
Box 49

Strathmere NJ 08248.

Or reach out in confidence via - StrathmereSurf@yahoo.com
 

or to any of the SURF volunteers above.