May 3, 2013

Rotary Round Up

By Mike Ciavolino

Pledge by Al Pescoe

Invocation by Paul P.

Guests were Jeff Horn, NJ Ad Club and Oceanport Mayor Michael Mahon

50/50 won by Brian

Oceanport Mayor Michael Mahon: “We’re Coming Back!”

The Mayor of Oceanport, the Honorable Michael J. Mahon, (Left) being thanked by our Club-President Elect Michael Hon.

ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON that finally foretold of a hint of Spring and better times ahead, Oceanport Mayor Michael Mahon spoke to the Rotary Club of Long Branch about the ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts currently happening in our neighboring borough.

“The day before the storm, our police department, EMS and other Borough workers were braced for the worst and mobilized for action.” said Mayor Mahon. “Clean up of the Borough began as early as possible on Tuesday morning after the storm.” The clean up however revealed a stark and staggering situation in Oceanport: Of the 2100 homes in the borough, 1200 of them were damaged. 800 of those homes were wet and 87 of those had substantial damage.

“We used our schools as shelters, said Mahon, and served over 900 meals in 14 days to residents out of their homes, out of power and in great need. With the help of generators,  we got lap tops to the shelter so residents could check bank accounts, make contact with loved ones and communicate with their businesses. We even held our council meetings right in the school.”

The Mayor continued, “While our early response efforts were in full swing, the governing body was looking ahead to the next phase of the recovery and hired a professional consultant specializing in hazard mitigation programming for municipalities. Working with our professionals, construction, emergency management and administrative team, the consultant has completed the initial package of grant applications seeking funds for elevating structures, installing emergency power systems, and drainage infrastructure improvements in flood prone areas.”  

Mayor Mahon also said that the status of Borough Hall remains uncertain and has taken a back seat to other considerations as the governing body has made helping the residents its first priority.

Among those efforts included waiving over $50,000 in permit fees. The initial waiver period of 45 days has been extended twice in recognition of the slow FEMA, SBA, and Flood insurance claims process that has delayed homeowner efforts to begin reconstruction.

Mayor Mahon also told of the formation of the Oceanport Cares Foundation. Oceanport Cares was formed with the intent to assist emergency management to prepare, recover and rebuild from the emergencies which affect the community; threatened or actual natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters. Oceanport Cares is empowered to raise funds to support the Oceanport Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), long-term community recovery efforts and other community response efforts which the Board of Directors, in consultation with the Director of Emergency Management, choose to do.

Donations are now being accepted and you may mail them to:

Oceanport Cares

Attn: Buzz Baldanza

43 Algonquin Ave

Oceanport, NJ 07757

It’s safe to say that despite the challenges ahead and those already faced in Oceanport, that the Borough could not be in better hands under this administration led by Mayor Michael Mahon.

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Rotary Club Food Drive: Only a month to go and the need is great

The 2012-2013 Rotary Club of Long Branch Food Drive has delivered over 20,000 pounds of food to the needy at parishes all over our area including First Methodist, 2^nd Baptist Church, Star of the Sea and St James Parish. Our club is helping now by donating pasta and marinara sauce for a pasta dinner to St Luke’s Church and Church of the Reformation in West Long Branch.

St. Michaels church had this to say in their monthly newsletter: “A big thank you to the Rotary Club of Long Branch and Shore Regional High School who made us the recipient of a very large donation of food. Our bags this month were stuffed! Our collection amounted to $3,113.77 and we were able to serve over 120 families!”

There’s still time to donate pasta, jarred sauce and other non-perishable goods: Simply bring the items during normal business hours to any one of the following locations:

• NJ Ink Shop – 177 Locust Ave West Long Branch

• Wells Fargo – 555 Ocean Blvd West End

• Atlantic Security – 44 Oceanport Ave West Long Branch

• New Life Chiropractic – 236 Second Ave. Long Branch

• Central Jersey Bank – 444 Ocean Blvd Ursula Plaza Long Branch

• Monmouth Medical Center – Long Branch

• Tucci Hot & Crupi PC – 464 Broadway Long Branch

• Investors Bank -169 Broadway Long Branch

• Greater Long Branch Chamber – 228 Broadway Long Branch

• Monmouth University – West Long Branch

• Shore Creative Group – 176 Broadway Long Branch

Welcome New Member Kris Mistretta!

Our newest Club Member, Kris Mistretta being pinned and welcomed into our Club by President-Elect Mika Hon.

The ranks of our Club are growing. And not only are they growing in numbers, but in the numbers of interested, engaged, community-focused individuals who share our passion for community “Service Above Self.”

A prime example of that is our newest addition, Kris Mistretta. Kris is a local business owner and long time member of our community. In the weeks leading up to his pinning ceremony which was this past Friday, Kris has been fully involved in all of the Club’s activities and we are delighted to have him on board. Welcome Kris!!

A Big Thanks to our host Mr. Jack Rooney

Each week, Rooney’s in Long Branch graciously hosts our club meetings. We’re welcomed warmly, and served a wonderful delicious lunch by the kitchen and staff. Rooney’s creates a welcoming environment each and every week for Rotarians and their guests. Our Club wanted to present a small token of thanks and an acknowledgement of this ongoing graciousness to Owner Jack Rooney at this week’s meeting. We thank you Jack, Daryl and all at Rooney’s for making us feel so welcome!

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Upcoming FREE seminar for small businesses recovering from Sandy