Hurricane News and Updates

Seaside Heights Prepares for Summer Season

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:20:00 GMT

Contractors in Seaside Heights are reconstructing a three-quarter mile stretch of boardwalk — about 15 blocks long. So far they’ve completed about 50 percent of the project and they expect the entire boardwalk to be completed just before Memorial Day.

Mayor Akers says there are more than 300 businesses in town and about 25 are now open but everybody looks like they’re going to be on schedule for Memorial Day weekend.

Maria Mastoris of Casino Pier says the water park, go-carts, arcade and some games and children’s rides will also be open by the holiday weekend. They hope to have half the pier open by the end of the summer. The rollercoaster, however, still remains in the Atlantic until a hired company can safely pull it out.

http://www.njtvonline.org

Global Hockey Legends Team Up For Hurricane Sandy Relief!

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:16:00 GMT

North American and Russian hockey legends will face-off April 13, 2013 at 1pm at Prudential Center for a charity game benefitting the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.

All proceeds from the game, featuring New Jersey Devils greats Ken Daneyko, Bruce Driver, Grant Marshall, Jim Dowd, and Sergei Brylin, among others, facing off against a squad of Russian legends including Vyacheslav Fetisov, Alexei Kasatonov, Valery Kamensky, Alexey Yashin and Darius Kasparaitis will support programs designed to address the unmet needs of New Jersey communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

In addition to the three 20-minute periods of on-ice action between these legendary hockey players there will also be LIVE auctions of players' jerseys and autographed items during intermissions. Post-game, an autograph signing for all ticket buyers will take place with select hockey legends.

Tickets for the game are available through Ticketmaster or by visiting Prudential Center's Box Office during scheduled business hours.
All Ticketmaster service charges and credit card fees have been waived for this event.

FEMA Registration Deadline Extended

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:58:00 GMT

Hurricane Sandy victims in New Jersey have another month to register for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and return loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The deadlines for both federal agencies have been pushed to May 1 at the request of New Jersey officials, according to FEMA.

Sandy victims can apply for federal disaster assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362. The toll-free calls can be made from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Be Wary of Schemes and Scams

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 15:19:00 GMT

Consumer Affairs staff has timely tips to follow post-Sandy

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t get ripped off by unscrupulous contractors or scammed by a fake charity in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

“You may feel pressured to hire the first contractor you speak with because your life has been turned upside down,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the Monmouth County Department of Consumer Affairs. “But don’t. The county’s Consumer Affairs staff has some great information and reminders for you to take into consideration before you move forward with your repairs.”

This is what consumers need to know before beginning a home repair project with a contractor:

Obtain more than cost one estimate, ask for each contractor’s references and check them out by calling 732-431-7900. The Department of Consumer Affairs can provide you with a complaint history on the business you are considering hiring.
You have a three-day, cooling-off period from the date your contract is signed. Your contract must be in writing and must include the work that will be completed, detailing materials, style numbers and warranty information. If you want a warranty on a contractor’s workmanship, get it in writing and make sure it states for how long the workmanship warranty is good.
Obtain a date or a firm time period in which the repair work will begin and will be completed. This must be included on your contract – it’s the law.
Obtain the appropriate permits from your town or other jurisdiction.

Remember, by law your contractor must be registered with the State of New Jersey to perform work in excess of $500. You can check a contractor’s registration status at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov or by calling the Monmouth County Department of Consumer Affairs at 732--431-7900.

Warning signs of unscrupulous contractors or professionals include:

Asking for a large payment before work can begin.
Asking for cash.
Telling you there is no need for a written contract – that a verbal agreement is enough.
Not having a business address or in the case of home improvement contractors, not producing a state registration number.

Before you donate to a good cause,do a bit of investigation to make sure your money goes to help victims, hotline a scammer’s pockets.

Call the Department of Consumer Affairs to find out whether the charity is registered to solicit in New Jersey.You can reach the county office at 732-431-7900, or call the state Division of Consumer Affairs at 800-242-5846.

Learn exactly how the charity plans to use your money. Find out how much it has spent on actual programs, fundraising and management costs. Call Consumer Affairs to verify this information.

Be generous, but be cautious!

Additional information about consumer affairs can be found on the county Web site at www.visitmonmouth.com and the state Division of Consumer Affairs can be found at www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov

The Monmouth County Consumer Affairs department is a law enforcement agency, created and funded by the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders. It protects against consumer fraud and dishonest and unscrupulous business practices by enforcing the state Consumer Fraud Act and other regulations.

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