Jersey Shore Rallies To Stop FEMA Now

Several Jersey shore residents packed into the Toms River High School North Auditorium this weekend to express their frustration and anger at how FEMA officials have responded following Sandy.

Much of the discussion focused on the Biggert-Waters Act, which is pending approval October 1, and will drastically change - for the worse - ralliers said, how flood insurance is calculated.

George Kasimos, who organized in the Stop FEMA Now rally in Toms River, cited a letter that the organization received from one of the elected officials who introduced the bill, which stated that she never intended for the bill to open the door for the skyrocketing insurance premiums that have been proposed after Sandy.

Kasimos said it is important for people to rally and express their displeasure of this bill before insurance companies are able to use it to charge excessive insurance premiums, and consequently depreciate home values, or worse, force people out of their homes.

Many area residents shared their frustration at the rally, including Doris Sekora of Brick Township, who noted that she is among many who are receiving confusing information about rebuilding from FEMA officials.

Ron Jampel of Save our Brick Communities detailed a list of federal funding that is going to alternative places other than Sandy victims, including a homebuyer program that would give thousands to first-time homebuyers.

Jampel said those funds should have first gone to Sandy victims, who could've used the funds to raise their homes or rebuild.

As Jampel detailed where certain funding sources went instead of Sandy impacted homeowners, the crowd responded "shame, shame, shame."

Other similar rallies were planned throughout the country, including in Seaside Park.