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David Friedman / NBC News
City sanitation workers pick up debris from Superstorm Sandy outside the Breezy Point community polling place at St. Genevieve Church on Tuesday, Nov. 6, in Breezy Point, N.Y.
NEW YORK – The city is embarking on an unprecedented reconstruction program to swiftly repair homes damaged by Superstorm Sandy, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Friday. The program will be mostly paid for by the federal government and aims to get some people home early next week, he said.
The program, called New York City Rapid Repair, will deploy general contractors who will oversee the work in the hard-hit areas. Those contractors will manage electricians, plumbers, carpenters and others to complete the repairs, Bloomberg said. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is supporting the project and will pay for most if not all of it, he added.
“For a homeowner to go off on their own and find somebody who was available and willing to show up is a daunting task,” he said at a news conference. “We’re changing the game. Today, we’re launching a program that will start returning people to their homes as early as next week. … Its goal is to get as many New Yorkers as possible back in their homes by the end of the year.”
Some 90,000 households in New York City and Long Island remained without power Friday. Some homes need simple repairs to get up and running, while others will need major work.
The program will begin with the easiest houses to fix, with those that have received a green card -- indicating they are sound -- from the buildings department, Bloomberg said. The buildings department has already examined some 80,000 homes.
To register, people must either visit one of the city’s restoration centers, call the information line (311) or sign up online. They must call FEMA to get an identification number. Bloomberg said. The first wave of applicants must have received a green card and be on a street where power has been restored.
Signup begins Tuesday. Work will start soon afterward.
Bloomberg said the program, which is optional, was unprecedented and “will save the city, state and federal government a lot of money and that’s because contractors will be able to work on multiple buildings at once and not just one house at a time.”
Contractors will work over the weekend with the buildings department to identify the homes that will be in the first wave of repairs.
The program “will go a long ways in our recovery, but I will say it won’t fix everything,” Bloomberg said. “In the hardest hit places like Breezy Point, homes were completely destroyed and some of the buildings that are standing will need major structural work before they can be lived in again. For those families, we’re working on housing options that we’ll have more to say about next week.”
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Leave a Comment:
Quite a difference from the response to Katrina, but then New York has a lot more money (and a lot more electoral votes). Guess FEMA knows which side of its bread is buttered.
What I don't get is the fact that New York City is Pro Union but yet there are millions of illegal's that live there. How and why?
Easy... NY couldn't survive without illegals. They do the jobs they that pay below minimum wage in many cases, and that citizen's won't do and for lower wages with no benefits... Asbestos removers, cab drivers, bodega/deli workers, non-union construction jobs, lemon stackers at local markets, bus boys and kitchen workers in non-union restaurants, landscaping. I could go on and on.
Morgan, I think this is one of the BIGGEST misconceptions about illegal immigrants in NYC/the country. I live in NYC, and have friends and have taught kids that are from illegal immigrant families of hispanic, polish, albanian, and russian backgrounds. I have heard them actually say "Nobody checks, go sign up, it's free" They would be referring to: welfare, W.I.C. (food assistance for kids), medicaid, low-income housing, etc. SO, what happens is that they get on public assistance AND work under the table. They drive down the cost of labor so that a person NOT on public assistance couldn't live on such a cheap wage. They actually TAKE jobs from citizens because of this. They work for $5/hr because they are also COLLECTING CHECKS for their wives/kids. They are illegal so nobody knows WHO they are of IF they are a married couple. They purposely have a brood of kids here, so the kids are automatic citizens, which makes the family eligable for all public assistance has to offer. Their kids will receive a 14k/yr public education (162K total for k-12), they all receive health care that taxpayers pay for, low-income housing, free bus/subway rides for the kids, dental/vision for the kids, etc etc etc. For a family of 3 it costs about 100K/yr to support them with public assistance, add about 30K on top of that in tax-free income (which is what a person who makes 60K brings home after taxes here) and these people are doing well enough to have flat screens, cars, wiis, etc. They make enough money, to support their families in their native country as well. Don't get me wrong, they are lovely people that are hard-working and family-oriented. But don't b.s. yourself into thinking they do this awful work for low wages and suffer so badly. They work just as hard as my husband and I, but we actually have to pay for many of the services they receive for free, and we are citizens. Can you imagine what this costs the taxpayers of NYC? Millions per illegal couple that comes here and plops out a few kids. The amount I pay in taxes means I basically work from Jan-May for FREE, and here you are sympathizing with folks that aren't citizens. How about you sympathize with me? I ask for nothing, work hard, and pay my fair share, and still have 68K in school loans I am repaying. What about people like me?
Confussed-1578043 ...(#1.1).."What I don't get is the fact that New York City is Pro Union but yet there are millions of illegal's that live there. How and why?"
Unions recruit Illegals as fast as they can....get them paying dues for a job in the future..There is no Citizenship requirement to join the Union......
_________________________________________
Anyway....It will be fast tracked just like the New World Trade Center once NYC and Albany get involved....
Quite a difference from Irene when the Republicans lead by Cantor said vicitms would have to wait till Congress found budget offsets. I cannot believe Eric "Obstruction" Cantor in still in Congress!!
Dear Lisa-1939859
Your lengthy post has convinced me to be a New Yorker! However I have a problem with moving from the warm south, so if you give me your address I will register as a New Yorker in need. I won't bother you with visits or anything but just so NY will send me the 100k each year to your address and you can forward it to me. Somehow I think I can make a deal with NY though and only ask for 90K in assistance each year if they don't visit your address either. Although I'm a citizen I am thinking of renouncing it for the 100K annual income. This shouldn't be a problem though because I don't plan on working under the table or on top of the table with this income. I will treat you to a fine dinner once a year, in the spring of course, for your effort.
Many scientists believe that because of our large carbon footprint, we have damaged our planet. They believe that this damage is a factor in the extreme weather patterns, such as Hurricane Sandy, that we are experiencing. We must invest in green energy so that we our future generations can survive survive on this planet.
It is good, that the GOP was defeated in Teusday's Presidential and other elections.
However, the right wing is filled with sore and mean-spirited losers.
Robert Murray, coal mining owner of Murray Energy Corporation, has a history of dangerous working conditions at his mines. He clings to the GOP's mantra, drill baby drill. In retailiation for Obama's victory and our president's efforts to steer this country toward green energy, Murray has decided to fire and dump 156 workers in Utah, Illinois.
http://money.msn.com/business-news/article.aspx?feed=AP&date=20121109&id=15779130
Hopefully, the Labor Department can find something legal to charge Murray with so that he will be #157 feeling the pinch.
so this is political? benefits given by a lame duck President? not sure I follow you please enlighten all of us
The reason why there are so many illegals doing this work is because Gov't beats the honest contractors to death with regulations, Insurance and taxes, the illegals are not held to the same standard. And the average person can't afford a contractor who abides by all the Gov't rules. Sad but true.
Except for the part about no fuel, living in big circus tents, food and clothing pouring in from citizens. Probably the media just forgot to report that part.
nibor: Are you ALWAYS this negative or are you just a sore loser?
This post is in reply to Lisa, the government does not give you 100,000 per year for a family of 3, they do not give you any more then what would allow you to live at less then poverty level. They do not give anyone 100, 000 a year. you don't even qualify for help if you make a 2000 a month for a family of 3. You are very misinformed, if the state of New York gives you 100,000 for a family of 3, send me where you got that information, and if it is correct, you might be getting a new neighbor, lol, not!
odb2
so this is political? benefits given by a lame duck President? not sure I follow you please enlighten all of us
odb2,
"political?"
We re-elected Obama to be beneficial to all Americans, especically to protect those that are vulnerable to the actions of the nefarious 1%. The goal of Murray's action is to harm workers who have nothing to him. Ironically, it is the same workers, who have made him an extremely wealth man.
The timing of Murray's actions is suspicious, right after Obama re-election victory.
Obama won a second term, and in retialtion, now Murray will fire some of his workers!
"lame duck"
Obama's will not be a lame duck, he now has...how did Bush say it, "capital."
And Obama will spend his "capital" well.
please enlighten all of us
The electorate was enlightened, and this is why Obama won.
In reply to Lisa, illegal aliens cannot be ripping off America to the degree that you state.
To apply and receive state and government benefits, persons must have identification numbers and documents. Illegals do not have such identifications.
Therefore, they are "stuck at the bottom."
25Walker, I work for a coal powered generation company. If you think that Obama being elected means good business for coal companies, you obviously don't know the harm Obamas policies brings to coal and your power bill. Getting Obama out of office was the only hope for these workers. We are currently preparing to shutdown one of our plants completely because new EPA policies have raised power rates over 40% in the past 4 years and major industrial business are up and leaving for Canada. Plants closing means less coal needed.
I was reading that electric companies are converting as fast as possible from coal to natural gas since it's so much cheaper. So, coal is on the way out all by itself. Thank goodness. Sorry for the loss of the jobs for the coalminers, but I lost my job to India. Who cared about that?
No need for insurance anymore when disaster strikes. It is like old Russia but without the Vodka
Half the right wingers on here criticize Obama for spending federal money to help after a natural disaster and the other half for not doing enough. No wonder they like Romney so much, they flip flop as bad as him.
I like this. Just like 9/11! We made millionaires from a tragedy. Screw the people in tornadoes or flooding. But New York and the crooks that run the joint, get richer off the tax payers.
Illegals that flood our country and leave when it doesn't suit them. This has nothing to do with party or union or other b.s. jobs program. This is taking money so the insurance industry does not have to pay claims. Simple as that! Then the Kick-backs to the politicians that support it! Bloomburg and the rest of the people need to be tried in a court of law for corruption. Just like Giuliani who made millions off 9/11 and the American Tax Payer. Paying people who lost their spouse and made millions from the taxpayers and donations from the saps.
What about the people in the plains that lost everything in tornadoes! This people actually pay taxes. Not these illegal aliens who live of the hard working Americans. Why even have asn INS!
Meanwhile some people in Pennsylvania are still trying to fix up their flood damaged homes or are waiting for Federal Government buyouts from last years storms of Irene and Lee. I bet they will be very, very angry at this news and possibly wishing they could change their recently submitted votes.
Pa. went for the Muslim-in-charge; so, no complaining. Staten Island 19 days later no electricity, gas, food and they voted for him too. This was an IQ test.
FEMA doesn't have utility workers but the utility companies have brought in thousands of workers from across the country. Trying to show Obama and FEMA at fault for lack of electricity shows your bias and ignorance. The federal government getting gasoline to NY and NJ has been unprecedented. Better avoid taking that IQ test yourself.
cunical = ignorance on steroids.
Except this is a lie. Utility crews were sent by the states. Obamas unions tried to block them.
5 hour wait every other day for 2 gallons. Democrat government officials have no such restrictions.
nibor: Obamas unions??? LOL!! Yes and he is in charge of all the unions and in charge of FEMA and by golly he is even in charge of the weather!!
When this rebuilding team finishes rebuilding NY, please head for New Orleans they have been waiting 10 years for a little help.
How are you helping?
How are you helping, C?
$62.3 billion? How much more "little help" would you suggest?
GLOBAL WARMING is NOT real.
This disaster did NOT happen !
BUT... If you want an Ocean view, better buy a boat.
With Herr Bloomberg in charge I can see that the chandeliers will be Ok. Why not just let the Occupy Sandy folks take care of the rebuild. They are doing more in the way of saving lives than the government or the Red Cross. Sez the NY Times
FEMA funded [sic taxpayer dollars] or FEMA back loans? I support the latter but not the former. I absolutely hate when people "lucky enough" to be devastated in a disaster get helped at taxpayer expense but if you had a personal disaster the same day four states over then you are just SOL.
The government has never acted faster during a natural disaster. Of course Obama should be able to snap his fingers and instantly repair 50 billion in damage. You're mistaken about the laughter. They're laughing at you.
5 days without passable roads for Bush. 6 days with passable roads for Obama. Unless, of course, you meant "never acted faster" for any other disaster on that day in New York and New Jersey for that storm. In that case you are correct.
Nice and areas of NOLA are STILL in disrepair.. Fast track... Yeaaahhhhhh....
New Orleans is a lost cause. With rising sea levels and the land sinking, a city that in places that's 10 feet below sea level is doomed. When the city was founded it was all above sea level.
Obama's doing what Bush should have after Katrina. Remember Bush's you're doing a hell of a job Brownie?
Yes, Larry and in 50 years New York WILL be in the SAME predicament..Except the ocean will rise around New York instead of it sinking.
90% of humanity lives on or near a coast. The oceans ARE rising and within 100 years we are going to have difficult decisions to make as what cities we want to save. Cities like NOLA, Miami, New York and Washington D.C. are all close to if not under sea level.
In the long term, Dave, all of those cities are gone. If not by the end of this century, definitely the end of the next. We should start planning New New York, New DC, etc., but do it in a greener more efficient way than we built cities in the past.
This reconstruction work must be carried out in all the places which is affected by the Storm Sandy and the following snowstorm. This will create jobs and lead to increased spending which will lift the economy and also lead to savings. In addition to this additional infrastructure works of a long term nature must be taken so that the economy is on track and jobs are created and there is spending and savings. Moreover Americans must buy goods manufactured in the USA as they are high in quality and are long lasting rather than importing cheap goods from abroad. GOD Bless the Americans. GOD BLESS THE USA.
Kevin Valentine Moraes
Mira Road (Thane)
Dave-2478570
And of course. Katrina, is Obama's fault? I think Bush, was in charge of that one.
them negros got there ass kissed off of katrina im so sick of blacks im going to the hell with it
Tommy37: So you're a typical republican then? What about the Mexicans? Tell us how you feel.
Larry-367607 As I am learning all the people out there who hate anything different than themselves are republicans. There are probably a few that aren't but most are uneducated republicans.
tommy: Lovely, simply lovely. Another Hater heard from..........(No wonder the Republicans lost)
As a retired Union carpenter I can see when this will work really well. Knowledgeable building contractors coordinating the work using the critical path method, experienced electricians, plumbers, and carpenters, and the rest, working to finish one dwelling as soon as possible, then go to the next dwelling. With all the necessary material and fixtures on site, all the construction workers ready, the building permits finalized, the work orders signed, then it's just blow and go, all done in two weeks, or there abouts!! It is so good to have a president that knows how to get things done!!!
If we could afford to increase military spending 200 billion and cut taxes on the wealthy 5 trillion as Romney wanted surely we can afford to help Americans in trouble from a natural disaster through no fault of their own.
Larry,
are you just blocking reality?
Just more idiotic claims from the Left. How about we finish with the recovery. The people are still suffering without power, fuel, and supplies. Of course this is left out to the story by the MSM but then you believe obam so you will believe anything.
Excuse me!!! navyvet 98
But that is President Obama to you, from a Navy Submarine Veteran '70
Navyvet: "but then you believe Obam so you will believe anything" Apparently the MAJORITY of Americans believe the POTUS (which is why he is still the POTUS) and the Democratic party over Fox, the American Christian Taliban, the Teaparty, and other notorious Republicans and Conservatives.........
This is showing that the government is taking care of its people. Yes, it doesn't happen over night. New York wasnt build in a day and it wont be fixed in a day. At least my donations will be put to good use.
Yes, people are living in very nice circus tents depending on clothing and food staples from private citizens and allowed 2 gallons of gas every 2 days after waiting in line 5 hours. These people just don't know when they have it good.
The city was thrashed by flooding, fire, and high winds. They have their lives and in time they will get a normal life back. Besides food, shelter, and clothing they have no right to ask for more. If the living conditions aren't up to your standards let them all come stay with you. So I gotta know, what have you done to help out your fellow country men in their time of need?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is supporting the project and will pay for most if not all of it, he added.
That should read, American taxpayers will pick up the tab.
Good! I'm glad to know that my tax dollars are going to help WE THE PEOPLE of New York and New Jersey!!!!! Sorry to read that you dislike helping your fellow Americans..."I've got mine" is the Conservative slogan.........
why does the tax payer get stuck with the bill? why not let everyone who voted for obama pay for it..NY is a Blue state....F***...them
So you hate everyone that voted for obama? Why did you join the navy? To me you sound like a selfish piece of sh!t. We are all Americans and should help each other when we can. You are a disgrace to the naval service and dont rate to call your self a vet.
Why does the taxpaying public have to pay to rebuild private property that has no public use? I can see helping to rebuild private property that has a public use such as utilities or maybe even the local roller rink but to take government funds and rebuild private housing is questionable.
It pays for Obama votes. Of course the people are now getting a bit nervous since Obama already has their vote.
President Obama won by a MAJORITY-perhaps Mr. Romney might have won if he had 'bought' some votes.......on second thought Mr. Romney and the Republicans COULDNT buy our votes- LOL!!!
rapid? ...swift? ...combined with unions? bawaaahahahahahahaha
Talk is cheap
good luck NYC your going to need it.
Time will tell...talk is cheap..BTW comparing Sandy to Katrina is idiotic
How so tex...? I'm not busting your chops, I'm actually curious.
Gigantic storms Check
Tremendous damage Check
100's of K's to Mil.'s affected Check
Exacerbated by the changing climate Check
Major metropolitan areas affected Check
and so on and so forth....
I'm not certain how idiotic it is to compare the two, they do have a lot in common.
IA.ScooterTramp How ya doing this morning?
GM tucsand
im fine hope the same for you and yours..getting ready to get off here and go enjoy what will probably be our last warm weekend. gotta give my dog a bath as well while im out there, washing a 90 lb golden retriever indoors is a real .....experience...
I'm waiting for the day when someone try's to sue mother nature :) giggle
"Why does the taxpaying public have to pay to rebuild private property that has no public use?".......
Because decent human beings and societies HELP one another, especially in times of unmitigated disaster that the average homeowner had no way of preventing nor recovering from on their own.. One never knows when catastrophe will hit them and they will need help in return, so we help others and then when we need it, they help us back. At any rate, I'd rather my tax dollars went to this than some of the "pork" barrel projects that politicians sneak onto valid bills and in reality, help no one, just make them "happy".
The thing that astounds me, is the fact this was a Catagory 1 storm, not 4, not 5, but 1! No one is even talking about that...
What's going to happen when a really big one hits?
Lynn, I think you have to look at the barometric pressure, more than the windspeed which determines category. That's what made this one a "big one".
Oh I'll tell you what happenes. Everyone will cry that the gov isn't doing enough while they sit on their arses like this time. This country is falling apart becuase everyone is out for themselves and dont give a damn about the next guy.
New York with their hand out again. What a surprise. Perhaps New York is just getting much to expensive to continue. The scene from the Day After seems about right.