From outlining a plan to ensure billions of dollars in federal aid for hurricane victims is not misused to calling on Mayor Bloomberg to repair the Sandy-damaged Jamaica Bay seawall that residents say is on the verge of collapse, elected officials highlighted this week an array of storm-related issues that could make life better – or much harder – for South Queens residents.
Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder, at podium, joined Community Board 14 District Manager Jonathan Gaska and homeowners to urge Mayor Bloomberg to restore the rapidly decaying Jamaica Bay seawall. Photo Courtesy of Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder’s Office
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer joined Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Rockaway Park), state Sen. James Sanders (D-Jamaica), Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton), in Far Rockaway on Tuesday afternoon to announce a proposal to establish a dedicated unit in the city’s Audit Bureau, which is under the direction of the city Comptroller’s office, to track the likely $15 billion in federal hurricane aid headed to the city in an effort to make sure it is not misspent. The proposal, which Stringer said he would implement if elected Comptroller, would also create an online “Sandy Tracker” to allow residents to follow where and how recovery funds are spent in real time.
“Nine months after Sandy, the winds have subsided but we still have to confront the challenge of protecting our shoreline communities from the next great storm, and making sure that every tax dollar devoted to returning families to their homes and getting businesses on their feet is spent wisely and efficiently,” said Stringer, who is running in September’s Democratic primary against former Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who resigned in the wake of a prostitution scandal in 2008. “The Comptroller’s office is uniquely positioned to serve as the city’s watchdog over all Sandy-related funds.”
Goldfeder said tracking how federal dollars are spent will be a crucial part of the recovery process.
“Every penny that was raised for Sandy victims and every government dollar that was spent during the relief and recovery effort must be accounted for,” Goldfeder said.
The first installment – $1.8 billion – of what is expected to be at least $15 billion in federal aid landed in the city last May.
The misuse of funds meant for Sandy victims has already come into question, and state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman released a report last month that said at least $238 million of the more than $575 million that was raised for Sandy relief had not been spent as of April of this year. The report also raised questions about whether some of the funds reportedly spent on Sandy relief were actually used for organizational overhead or other non-Sandy related purposes.
Goldfeder and Rockaway residents held another press conference this week and called on Mayor Bloomberg to formally direct the appropriate agency and personnel to conduct emergency repairs to the seawall, which runs along the northern side of the Rockaway Peninsula, adjacent to Jamaica Bay. The wall – also known as a bulkhead – serves as a barrier for homes against storms and rising sea levels – and Goldfeder and a number of residents said the wall took such a beating in Sandy that it is on the verge of collapse.
“The rapid rate of the decaying bulkhead is alarming, leaving many communities vulnerable to any storm, not just Sandy-sized hurricanes,” Goldfeder said.
Christina Russell, a Rockaway resident and homeowner, agreed.
“This has been an ongoing issue for many years and now, after Sandy, the damage of the bulkhead is threatening our property,” she said. “My father-in-law is unable to pull into his own driveway without the risk of falling into Jamaica Bay. Something needs to be done to fix this dangerous situation immediately.
By Anna Gustafson
