From the article I read above the road is fine it is a security issue. What have people left in their exposed homes of value after 12 weeks? Who determines what sightseeing is? I feel for who lost their homes but life must go on. There are business in Bay Head and Point that could benifit from the road being open. We also have to return the shore to as normal as possible. People will depend more on rental income in the summer then they did in the past . People that never rented might this year for extra income . If people keep hearing about things being closed, curfews, check points, looting problems they will not come back and many people on all parts of barrier island will suffer. We have to get over it people are going to stare for a long time to come. Nobody in any town likes it.

I agree John Q. Businesses in that area need the roads opened. Many will not survive. There are homes in the southern towns of the barrier island that are also exposed, yet the public traffic is allowed through on Rt. 35 N and S. What makes Mantoloking and Bay Head so special that they deserve more protection for their damaged homes, than those south of them?

Seems like now is the time for the state to dualize Route 35 through those towns. Having that bottleneck going forward for decades doesn't make sense. Rebuilding should include improvement.

I think you are missing the point - although the road may be fine the community is not. No electricity. As many as 200 homes need to be demolished an there is a lot of red tape involved not to mention the massive project of removing those homes. It's not going to happen overnight! Mantoloking doesn't have any businesses and certainly won't have any houses to "rent" this summer so no one really cares that it's closed off. It's an inconvenience to people that want to use Mantoloking as a side street to throw their crap out the windows onto our property. I hope they keep it closed for as long as possible.

I have seen the damage in mantoloking its no worse then say deulville beach.Rt 35 should be reopened.Anybody see the 4 mile backup to the bridge last saturday?

The Boro of Mantoloking has effectively highjacked Route 35 N for its own purposes to the detriment of the public. 35 N is a STATE Highway for the people of New Jersey. I have written to the Governors office everyday to insist that this road be returned to the public. The Boro is only interested in maintaining a Sate of Emergency there to effectively get The State Police to guard the Boro. If that small town of 500 people cannot afford to handle its affairs it should be combined with another town. I am writing everyday to the Governor and I recommend everyone else who feels the same way do it too.

I wish they would open the road for access from the bridge to the Bay Head train station. Maybe you could get on a sign-up list and present your I.D. and train ticket at the check point. Going the long way around is getting tedious.

ALL THE STREET LIGHTS ARE ON There is power. http://nj.gov/infobank/circular/eocc104.pdf I do not think a state of emergency really is still in effect. Unless the governor has a specific request for Mantoloking only there is really no emergency. Everybody wants to work and make situation better but there have been some great comments. Some areas south of Mantoloking are as bad. It is a straight rode very easy to monitor. All traffic lights work.. When it opens, today, a week from now, a month what will be different?

Some of us commute that way to work and use the road for daily activities. I love Mantoloking and have been there since the storm. It is devastating but no more so than ortly or bricks section of the island. It the man that said we want to through our garbage out the window really? There are many year round residents that need that stretch of route 35 for commuting . Maybe they should fence the streets off like they did inane sections of the island.

WOW. This is a blatent abuse of emergency powers. The people who have moved back are forced to detour on their commutes beacause Mantoloking doesn't want them top drive through their town. Route 35 is a state highway!!!

@ap your comment to Pam is just indicative of the holier than thou attitude which Mantoloking residents seem to command. You will not win any battles on here with that kind of immature nonsense.

You are absolutely right that it was wrong of me to post here when there are so many ill-informed people that comment!

Starting with you ap.

Oh yes Connie I see you are from Brick as well. Have a great day!

@ignorant people. Just typos because I have old eyes that can't see my phone. Actually grew up in middlesex county and attended a top high school and have two degrees. Get a life if all you can do is proofread comments. Ps my parents lived on barrier island for years.

@ap45. People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. You are critical of typos yet have them in your comment. You need to wake up and realize the whole shore community needs to work together and support each other to move on. Have a great day ap45.

Why do all comments on here, regardless of the topic, always end up with hostility between each other? It's so unnecessary. We're all human & make mistakes sometimes with grammar & how we type. Stop picking on each other & just stick to the topics. Let's have an intelligent, mature conversation where we all can say our opinions unedited. Just live & let live for goodness sakes.

I grew up in Normandy Beach and now live across the bay. All of my dear old friends that still live in Normandy Beach have had their houses devastated and are still without electricity, gas and water. Access to their portion of rt 35 is now unrestricted and the rebuilding of lives and businesses can now begin. Many of them rely on rt 35 north in Mantoloking to get to work each day. Now on top of everything they have been through they have to drive out of their way just because Mantoloking is somehow better than them? The rd. is safe for vehicles. Other towns are continuing the cleanup even with rt 35 open, Ortley, Lavallette, Brick. .Businesses that need customers so badly are now missing out on customers because rt 35 is closed. Mantoloking is not the only town that has suffered but they are the only town holding rt 35 hostage. They don't care about the residents that were also impacted by the storm and need this rd back to resume some normalcy in their lives. The business owners from in Pt. Pleasant all the way to Seaside should be complaining because customers cannot reasonably get to them.

@wms5826. I was not being better than anyone. I was just alittle offended at ap45's comment about people from brick being stupid. Ignorance and generalizations!

Wow, this is as ugly as the devastation Sandy left in her wake....Let's all try to get along. Some will benefit some will lose and many will be inconvenienced. So much destruction and loss and the sadness that it will never be the same place we all love. Commuter, passer-by, locals and visitors...we all have lost!

I just want my insurance check and to find out definitively if I have to raise my house or not. What they should do to raise money is put a toll both on both ends of 35 from Seaside to Mantoloking and charge the rubber neckers a sawbuck to get in and out. What is amazing is they already have plans to rebuild the boardwalk. They know where and what height in Seaside but they can't tell me how high I need to go. I have to get more estimates from contractors more than two and half months after the fact then "they" will decide whether I am "required" to go up.

if the people of mantoloking would have got their noses out of the clouds years ago some of this could have been avoided with DUNES but they still wont sign off pretty soon they will sufacate under the sand

Seriously. Some of the comments here are so damn childish. You're losing sight of the actual point.
Oh and @ap, if you find it so easy to criticize Brick stay out of it.
We are JERSEY STRONG so cut the childish BS out. Just saying.

I am born and raised in Brick and damn proud of it. Believe me, you won't find any typing or grammatical errors here ap45. The fact that OUR state highway is closed going through the town that you used to reside in, most likely only on a part-time basis, is a hassle to the residents of Brick and surrounding areas. I live near the Mantoloking Bridge and travel to Point Pleasant Beach almost daily and due to OUR state highway being closed, I must drive completely out and around due to an 1/8 mile stretch that can not be opened due to the protection of homes that, if so completely devastated, should have been cleared out of any valuables, at the least. Those homes are no more important than those on the rest of the barrier islands, and your lives are no more important than any other that suffered damage due to this storm, including us "Bricktuckians" as you apparently see it. I wish you much luck in your devastation and happiness as you grovel in your self-worth. I will continue to be happy in my unscathed home, just far enough away from the ocean and the bay, and will await the re-opening of OUR highway, once your silver spoon has been placed safely back in your mouth.

May be we should all call the Borough of Mantoloking for regular updates Main Number: 732-475-6983

Also call and mail the governor at:
Office of the Governor
PO Box 001
Trenton, NJ 08625
609-292-6000

You can email the Gov through the state website http://www.state.nj.us/governor/contact/

if rt. 35 is undamaged, blocking off/ guarding/securing all side street access would allow people to use the highway. as for the homes on the ocean side, well let them hire their own security guards to protect their property from looters and trespassers.

open the darn highway.

Many Mantoloking residents would like the road re-opened and the demolition/rebuilding process to move on more quickly, just as it is in neighboring towns. We are not in control, the handful of people in the town government and the police department are calling the shots.

Right, one big project, a small number of people who are trying very hard to figure it all out, no real sense of urgency as many want to keep the town as a gated community for as long as possible, and a growing sense of frustration and sadness for many property owners in the town and those who want to be able to travel through it to get on with their lives.

The route 35 roadway is okay. A lot of construction / debris removal still going on. But I don't see the need for the road to still be closed.

It's a pain in the butt to have to detour to and from work in Pt. Bch. every working day.

I think what is going on in Mantoloking is a disgrace, and the township's obvious disregard for the rest of the barrier island's population. Portions of Normandy and Ortley are horrific yet 35 is open. I live in Mantoloking (brick twp) and have added 2 hours to my day thanks to the other Mantoloking. I sit on 88 or 70 along with many other commuters coming from Toms River. None of this matters to those residents because they don't live there year round and who cares that the traffic is bad. Brick has suffered as much, and now you as town dump more on them with the obvious change in traffic flow. I came across the mantoloking Bridge tonight turned right as I watched a 3rd house being removed, moved to a lane shift while Nj American Water worked vigoursly to restore the water lines. Not once have I seen any problems as this construction will be our way of life on the barrier island for quite some time. Mantoloking is no different and they need to accept they reside and share an island. What revenue does Mantoloking bring in to the state, they have no school, no restaurants, taxes are low comared to ours in Mantoloking in Brick. Newflash nobody drives over the bridge to look at the houses in Mantoloking, they drive over the bridge to go to the beach!

Open up 35 they don't own it!

Troopers can't have donuts if they are asleep in their cars

Does anybody know where I can see a copy of the emergency declaration ? There are many things that can be included of not included. I have never seen thd Brick one that allows police to stop anybody keep people from walking on streets at certain hours walk on beach and all the othef restrictions We all know that they are trying to keep people safe but you cannot just do things without regard to the law

I have driven up 35 north through Mantoloking as well. Although the devastation is great in the area that is closed, I agree it it no worse than Ortley and Normandy Beach. The road is fine. I do see, however, that there will be a problem when they reopen the area. There are many spots on the ocean and by the bay that are open areas. It's only going to be more barren as they demolish the 200 homes. We live in Brick and my kids go to Bay Head School and have had to conted with not using the bridge to take them to school now for months. We understand the having to drive around to Bay Head from Brick. You can't stop the gawkers from coming and it's going to be a greater amount as the weather improves towards Memorial Day. Let people see what happened and get it over with. The people who live south have had to contend with this now for a couple of weeks and people in Brick have had to deal with it from day one.

Did you see Gov Christie's comment on the Adabato interview. When pressed on what he thought government could do about folks refusing dune replenishment/rebuilding in some of the islands areas he said he believed in "AGRESSIVE" government in this instance. What does that mean. ? Oh how's my grammar/spelling?

aggressive

Some people think that just because they live in these towns that they are better than others. 35 is a public road and everyone has a right to use it. Mantoloking does not own it. Many people lost a lot from the storm, not just Mantoloking. Lavallette, Ortley Beach and Seaside have their roads open and they were just as hard hit as everyone else.

Suppose you were one of a whole strip of stores on route 35, all of which are so heavily damaged that they can't be fixed and you can't get inside to get your merchandise out. Would you want hundreds of folks going past your unsecured store with merchandise still intact? The residents of Mantoloking just need time.

Now there's a thought. Let's open Route 35 through Mantoloking, and let the street thugs from Staten Island come through and loot what's left of the destroyed homes, and we'll have a crime wave to accompany no beaches, no rentals and mounds of destruction to stare at this summer.

Question? I read all the local newspapers and internet; I haven't seen anything about people looting. Are people looting from storm damaged properties or is this a fear that people might loot these properties. If people are looting why isn't this reported, if they are, lock them up. Don't penalize law abiding people that just want to get to work.

There's no looting today because Route 35 is closed and there are checkpoints into and out of town. But imagine you have 200 destroyed homes on either side of Route 35, with valuables still inside (since residents can't get them out because the homes are too badly damaged or dangerous to enter). Would that attract those who want to profit? That is the fear.

Look I am sympathetic to those who just want to go to work. We Mantoloking residents work too. But because we live on Route 35, and because most of our homes still have many valuables inside (we have not been able to enter if our home is destroyed), we just need a little more time. Think about your home was totally open, still had all its valuables in it, and was right on Route 35. Would you want folks going past it?

Brad if you can't get in how is a looter getting In? If your homes are being taken down and you can't get your valuables out what is the point to all of this. Mantoloking does not own the highway they have to stop this and move forward like everyone else on the island. The road should be open at least during the day, and maybe have a curfew if they have a concern for looting. As far as taking homes down, there were 3 taken down this week on 35, with traffic, the dumpsters were placed on the lot the trucks came in and out, and the houses are gone. From the Mantoloking Bridge to Ortley there are hundreds of homes to come down, should those residents demand the highway closed until all of the homes come down?

This looks like everyone here lost sight of the real issue. Money or no money, big house or little house, Superstorm Sandy didn't choose, it affected everyone of us, so lets be more considerate with our neighbors. Don't we all love the beach, the sand , the Jersey Shore? Lets just get Mantoloking, Bay Head, Brick, Seaside, Ortley, and the rest of the stretch of beach and homes back to the way it was, if not better ! p.s. don't proof me because I really don't care much about the silly things. Smile and get back to what's important.

Mantolokings "process" can all be pointed to one person....he was featured in the Ocean Start recently. Chris Nelson. Contact him, he is the decision maker for Mantoloking. Whatever he says, goes.

I'd love to get my valuables out of my house but I can't since it's been destroyed. It is the reason Mantoloking can't open Rt 35. It's not that we're not working on it. Go on the Internet and you can see the devastation - 60% of the houses on Rt 35 are destroyed which is the highest of any town at the shore. And unlike Lavalette, Normandy Beach, and Brick, the houses in Mantoloking are all right on rt 35. If your house was destroyed and unsecured and you lived right on Rt 35 you would understand.

Sorry for your lose John but I also live in Matoloking and what you are saying is not true. Every house on 35 has a can be entered Some of the beach front homes are tougher. Read the number of homes in Mantolokings own report Also 1/3 of town is south of bridge I guess they don't count.

I too live in Mantoloking, and I am sorry for all the people on the barrier island who are suffering. However, everyone is trying to restore this island, and it is becoming a challenge with 35 closed off. This includes NJ natural gas, nj water, JCP&L who are sitting in 35 traffic because of Mantoloking. People from toms river, brick are all commuting an additional 45 minutes because your belongings need to be protected. I understand your hardship we are going through it on our community, but the town has to resolve it for the homeowners and not use a state highway as there personal property.

@AP- your there 'Town'... Well... Is ummm 'Boring'! If living in a big house on a tiny beach with nothing else makes you superior, you must live the atypical boring life! You see... We just need 'OUR' highway to PASS your town to reach something more exciting! ...

Here is the easement answer for Mantoloking The beach front owners property ends at the difference between the winter high tide and summer high tide This year that will be very close to the regular dune Build sea wall on the Public portion of the land Problem solved

Like someone said...Mother nature does not pick and choose who will actually get hit by a storm. A storm is bound to happen again. People need to think twice in throwing good money to a bad situation. I know at one time Mantoloking houses demanded high prices for their homes. People need to comprehend the night "Sandy" hit, it changed everything and their once high price fetched homes is no longer.

Based on some of the above comments, I can fully understsnd the lack of sympathy most people have for Mantoloking. Sandy gave new meaning to the "Karma".With that said I hope ALL the communities on the barrier island a speedy recovery.

Boy , I can see this IS going to be a great summer between the " Have " & "Havenotts" Higher taxes for all, higher Ins. for all, but don't you Lil' people dare come on MY beach, even though their's no longer a house and thanks for chipping in you Lil' people to get those dune's for US....Rt 35 IS our road & we"ll let YOU know when you can use it once again, sorry about that, but WE have the say as were the "Haves "..OH yeah Bennies go home, unless WE need you..will call..Bye for now ! Mrs Silverspoon....

I rent a house each summer in Manto and grew up in Brick. (And live in Colorado). It saddens me to hear this bickering. Let's all try to remember that we live or travel back summers to be at our own paradise by a beach. It is a wonderful area and all the towns have good JERSEY people living in them. Let's all try to show compassion to one another. I know easy for me not dealing w this awful situation on a daily basis. My 80 year old mom's home in Brick on bay was flooded and we are renovating and she lived w me for 8 weeks so I appreciate struggle. The Manto folks are reeling since they lost most of their community in one day. That's hard to take for any town and theirs has incredible history and they are very tight knit, in a good way. That said Rte 35 is a state highway and it is crucial for a healthy restoration of business and commerce on barrier island and all the connecting shore towns. One solution is Manto owners install security chain link fences around houses needing protection. I did this for a major renovation in similar neighborhood in Denver and never had any looter issue. Second, install more police patrols 24 hours. However, most criminals are lazy and not going to risk their lives for some flooded electronic equip. (They really don't want your silver, or artwork assuming its not flooded away.). Then reopen 35 north w permits for first month. At some point by not opening state highway Manto adm are at risk of lawsuit by surrounding towns.

It's time for Mantoloking to do the right thing... open rt 35. The road is safe because they let Lavallette kids who attend Point Pleasant Beach High School travel to and from school on that small, closed road every morning and every afternoon. It's unfair that so many people are wasting time and gas because the road remains closed. Do the right thing Mantoloking open the road!

Local mom I wish they would do that for us. I am in Mantoloking (brick twp) and they won't let us through, we asked they said no. We just moved back to our house, and returned to school. Totally unaware that 35 is restricted only to Mantoloking residents, so we were late after being away from school for 2 months. Sad reality is they don't care about anyone else on this island. If we all work together we will get through this!

I don't know why they just can't keep the curfew in effect and instead of having the 27 troopers parked at both sides of the closed area, just let them patrol and keep the side streets closed....It is time to try and get some normalcy back and that includes the use of Route 35. Oh and the comments here, i guess some people have too much time on their hands and try to turn everything into the Jerry Springer show. For those who comment on others grammar and intelligence, my guess is you are probably trying to make up for your own lacks in life..

Open rt 35 north of the bridge!!!!How come its still closed?

It is high time that the State steps in and uses Eminent domain to place a sea wall along the Jersey Shore. It is high time that all the towns get together and place a class action lawsuit against the Private beach associations to get there heads out of the sand and build Rock walls like the one the Bay Head Beach association did 25 years ago! Some Mantoloking beach owners are still acting like little lords and do not care about the house behind them nor the towns they reside in. Enough already !

road opening next week.

Brick surfer sad sad sad

is the Mantoloking Bridge open?
If so is it that you can make a right, not a left, when driving over it going to the east?
Meaning that N. 35 is closed after going over the bridge. South 35 is open going over the bridge?

traffic on 70 in the morning driving to work has been horrible and has caused me difficulty getting to work as well as coming home from work. I dread the thought of summer tourist traffic added to that commute.
I hope they open route 35 N.soon.

thanks... I haven't made the attempt to go there. so sad \
We can not drive north as I understand through the above posts.
Do you have any info on this?