Weekly “Sandy” Recap for Hoboken, NJ – November 11, 2012

The effects of Hurricane Sandy dominate the news for a second week in a row!

Life moves forward after Sandy in Hoboken, NJ

Hoboken was lucky compared to other areas. But the damage and inconvenience we experienced in this dense city was still unprecedented, and we showed a lot of character as the recovery progressed.

• Slow Recovery – We slowly started getting back on our feet at the beginning of the week, with long lines as evidence.
• Could it have been minimized? – You wonder how much better our city would be if less focus on parks and playgrounds – and more focus on real world problems we have…
• How stressed did you get? – Hoboken psychiatrist offers ways to lessen the pain.
• Winter Storm Athena – Threw us for a curve as well – with fairly disruptive heavy wet snow and downed lines.
• Doesn’t stop wedding! – A couple who’s beach wedding was trashed tied the knot at city hall anyway!

Sandy Charity prevalent in the Mile Square

Probably from now to the end of the year – Hurricane Sandy-based charity events will dominate. And it was nice to see the spirit stay strong during the second week after the storm.

• Heal Hoboken – T-shirts and hoodies being sold to help “rebuild” Hoboken.
• Business give back – The list of local shops contributing for Sandy victims grows.
• Hoboken Elks stands tall – The community recognizes how rock-solid the Elks were – and commended them.

Some buildings were badly damaged (and managed)

As the recovery picked up speed in Hoboken – stories surfaced how some residents were being “left behind” by questionable condo management situations. Additionally, horror stories of how dozens of vehicles were destroyed when they didn’t have to be.

• 1000 Jefferson residents miffed – Dozens of tenants outraged at how their management company handled the storm.
• 800 Madison, too – People couldn’t even move out – and were charged prorated rent into November!
• Parking garage trashed – Close to 100 cars junked at one Jefferson St. facility. Was greed to blame?
• Waterfront Management gets thumbs down – From several condo buildings across town.
• What is the best management company? – Not everyone was a loser – some folks gave props to how well their buildings handled Sandy.

Tremendous photos and videos of Sandy and Hoboken

The second most impactful way to experience a storm is with pictures and videos (other than being on the front line personally!) Below are just some of the images we published last week.

• Phenomenal Flooding Photos – Local photographer Brian Dieck was in the middle of it all with his skilled use of the camera lens.
• Best wishes from Florida – A former resident makes some visual tributes for us to show he cares.
• Damage was obvious – Hoboken411 canvassed the city to witness mountains of refuse as residents cleaned out their basements.
• Eli Manning Flood Zone – Water rushed up to the Hudson Tea building as we wondered if the Giants QB ventured out into the storm waters.

Many people chose “moving pictures” (i.e., video) to capture the essence of Hurricane Sandy:

• Scenes from Sandy – A fantastic chronological video that shows Hoboken before, during and after the superstorm.
• The Flooding Experience – Former resident Mark from South Carolina felt compelled to create a video photo gallery of life in Hoboken.
• “It’s Hoboken” – Ryan Shibley provides us with a great break from the devastating movies – with an uplifting video that shows all the good things about our city!

Despite Hurricane Sandy, Hoboken politics forges ahead

• 2012 General Election – Polls were mismanaged, lots of vote by mail, and outcomes still up in the air.
• Board of Education – Final results still pending – plus we wonder why reform candidate Theresa Minutillo backed out.
• Hoboken Rent Control – May stay the same depending on final count – plus pre-election sign wars took place across the city.
• Ravi Bhalla cheats to get gas – Entitled local politico gets gas meant for first responders. Even tried getting it for free! What a….

Today in History

• Happy Birthday to NJ Jets Quarterback Mark Sanchez who turns a whopping 26 years old today!

Inspirational Quote of the Week:

“In a fight between you and the world, pick the world”

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