36th District Legislators Also Provide List of Important Contact Info for Residents & Businesses
(36th LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT) – As residents pick up the pieces from the devastation left behind by Superstorm Sandy, Assembly members Gary S. Schaer and Marlene Caride (both D-Bergen/Passaic) have been working diligently with state and local officials to help in the recovery.
“This storm has claimed too much of New Jersey. My thoughts and prayers are with those families who have lost loved ones. To those who are dealing with power outages, flooding and other problems brought on by Sandy, we are working to get things back in order,” said Schaer. “If you have any concerns, please call or email my district office. We are here to help to the best of our ability.”
Schaer toured Little Ferry and Moonachie, the two most affected municipalities in the district, and coordinated restoration efforts with the Governor’s Office, the Bergen County Executive, Passaic County officials and local OEMs. Schaer reached out to mayors and council members throughout the district to assess their needs, and spoke with the New Jersey chapter of the Red Cross to help coordinate homeless shelters and ensure provision of necessary items like water and toiletries.
Schaer also coordinated provision of gas to St. Mary’s Hospital, assisted in identifying streets which needed to be cleared of fallen trees and other safety hazards, and even directed traffic in Passaic for several hours this past Sunday to help manage gas lines. Schaer reopened his district office on Thursday to respond to phone calls and emails regarding the storm from concerned constituents.
Caride also toured the towns of Moonachie and Little Ferry, and has been in constant contact with the Governor’s Office to coordinate restoration efforts, as well as with the mayors and several chiefs of police in order to assist the towns. Caride has also been working with local OEMs and DPW departments, and has been in constant contact with the district’s PSE&G liaison.
Caride opened her district office on Tuesday despite the state holiday to assist constituents with Sandy related concerns, and has been utilizing social media to keep constituents updated with information and available resources. Her office will be accepting donations for the residents of Moonachie and Little Ferry. Donations may be dropped off during the following district office hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays.
“I am saddened by the devastation caused throughout the State of New Jersey by Hurricane Sandy. In my district, the towns of Moonachie and Little Ferry were flooded and the residents had to be evacuated,” said Caride. “The other towns in my district suffered widespread power outages which PSE&G is diligently working to correct. My office will continue to work with local officials to provide our constituents with information and the resources needed to overcome this terrible storm.”
In addition to encouraging residents to contact their offices if they are having problems, the lawmakers also provided a listing of important emergency contact information to help residents address their needs directly:
- FEMA – To register to receive assistance: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or visit: www.disasterassistance.gov/
- Volunteering – 1-800-Jersey-7 (1-800-537-7397)
- Port Authority of NY & NJ – 201-595-4530 or 201-595-4531
- Pet Rescue – 1-855-407-4787 (1-855-407-HSUS)
- 24/7 Health Experts – 2-1-1
- Food Safety/Water Safety – 1-866-234-0964
- Report Price Gouging – 862-209-0130 or 973-220-3474
- Disaster Mental Health Helpline – (toll free) 1-877-294-HELP (4357) or 2-1-1
- Statewide Hurricane Sandy Business Recovery Assistance – 1-866-534-7789 or visit: http://www.nj.gov/njbusiness/
- For Gas Stations to Report Service Delivery Problems – call: 609-858-6900 or email: SandyGas@njeda.com
- Assemblyman Schaer’s Office: (P) 973-249-3665 or (E) AsmSchaer@njleg.org
- Assemblywoman Caride’s Office: (P) 201-943-0615 or (E) AswCaride@njleg.org