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Cleaning Begins In Stafford Area Marshes

Ron Cop, head of the Stafford Township Department of Public Works, reports the cleaning has begun in marshes and back bays just south of the bridge.

The cleaning contracts use the Manahawkin Bridge and Causeway as a dividing line for the contracted cleaning crews. Boots are on the ground cleaning what's being called "wet debris."

Some of this is happening in the area just south of Beach Haven West, an area hit very hard when the Sandys winds shifted, sending all the water and debris from Long beach Island and other areas slamming into the bridges. The Causeway bridge acted like a huge dam. 

This left the surge of water nowhere to go but Beach Haven West, West Creek and Tuckerton, and backing into southern Long Beach Island areas.

Cop was out in the area surveying on the day before the last storm, stopping by to see what - if any debris - he could remove before the storm came. He asked me if I was ready for "Round 2." We both smiled, wondering if it will ever end.

Ron knows I've been around, looking for debris areas to clean. I shared all the new ones I had found. I directed his attention to Mallard Island area marsh that is still full of boats and debris. He then left to investigate the situation. 

The mayor also checked in with us today, updating me on the FEMA Map studies underway. If you have noticed, there has been a group pf engineers around town, accessing damages done by the storms and documenting homes that have been dropped into the V zones. They are coming up with professionally prepared studies, trying to leave no room for FEMA to refuse the evidence.

The wave action zones, as well, are in question here, as homes some one mile from the bay are listed in the V and wave velocity zones.

Other news: The town is awaiting approval from state Department of Environmental Protection in many areas to use road tailing to repair and resurface roads. Tailing is a sustainability effort that saves millions in costs.

I was going to hold this story a day and go take pictures, but with all the rain on the way, I thought it was better to get this out.

Also in town news: the Robin Hood Foundation and mayor's office are working out the final details of a grant for our residents. Details are to follow soon.

Still no action yet on the barge at the bridge. But it was checked on by the Coast Guard and some state officials this week.

Also, bridge survey crews were out, as well, and could be seen on Bay Avenue and Route 72, taking measurements. A helicopter that I believe came from the Environmental Protection Agency was hovering over the spill site Saturday. Today, tides began to lower in the back bays.

One more note: Beach Haven's Future is a group developed to help the business owners of Beach Haven who were hit hard in the downtown district. A fund-raising event will be held March 23 at Buckalew's Restaurant on Long Beach Boulevard in Beach Haven at 4 p.m.

Entertainment, a silent auction and drink specials will be included, and the Diablo Sandwich Band will perform. The event will directly benefit many first responders who lost so much while helping others, and while losing there own homes. 

Reminder: please report suspicious activity and trucks cars to Stafford Township Police. Or the State Polic . Report all scrappers or anyone visiting your home, posing as building contractors or FEMA-approved building reps. 

Lincoln Osiris

4:12 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Glad to see that mayor John Spodofora updated us today. I am sure he will fight FEMA with the same vigor with which he fought the VietCong. Which is to say not at all. The only thing he has successfully fought all these years is the truth.

He has told everyone he was the Jon in RonJon, a college graduate, an engineer, a Vietnam combat veteran, a Navy UDT/SEAL, a spy, and received a Purple Heart. I hear he will hold a press conference next week announcing he is Batman.

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Letitia Baker

9:40 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Could you give it a rest? I can't be the only one tired of this. I actually signed up tonight to post this, jeez, enough already.

(FWIW, everyone: Anyone still concerned about the so-called stolen-valor broughahah from the election can inquire with the Mayor and see that it's been resolved, in writing, by the Navy itself. I saw the letter.)

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John Eric Mangino

11:09 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Yea Ive decided im going to just flag this every time its brought up this is border line cyber bulling . Thanks Letitia

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Lincoln Osiris

8:36 am on Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Ms Baker,

I agree with you. I am tired of John Spodofora's constant lying. The reference to Batman was obviously a joke, but all of the above false claims were made by our mayor.

I know about the letter you saw. Spodofora has a letter from the Dept of the Navy showing his eligibility for certain awards. If he told you that that letter absolves him from all his past lies then guess what , you have been lied to also. He does not have a Vietnam service ribbon and he never went to Navy dive school to be a UDT or a SEAL, or received a Purple Heart. And I guarantee he has no letter stating these as fact.

And, I take issue with you trivializing "so-called stolen-valor". Spodofora has lied to this community, his co workers and his own family for many years falsely claiming the accomplishments of many good men and women who have shed their blood and even died in the line of duty. All for jobs, popularity and votes. The character of a person who would do that is neither honest nor honorable.

So you see, nothing has been resolved as you claim. It is just one more case of Spodofora twisting the facts to further his long history of deceit. You are just one more unknowing accomplice he duped into advancing his lie. I am truly sorry to break that to you, because I know how I felt when I learned the truth.

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Lincoln Osiris

8:45 am on Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Mr Mangino,

I agree it may look monotonous, but certainly not cyber bullying since I am only reporting facts which contradict years of lying from a deceitful person.

You are doing a great job with your reporting. Keep up the good work with that.

In order to keep your reporting factual, a reporter needs to know that what he or she is getting from their sources is also factual. If you are getting information from Spodofora I would question that it is indeed factual. He doesn't have a good track record when it come to the truth.

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John Eric Mangino

3:43 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013

You do this with every single post it doesn't belong here it derails every thread please just post your own worries I know whats true and whats not true when I speak face to face with everyone involved . I dont need reminders And I dont beed personal agendas attached to my posts . Ive seen your social media sites they are all but little disturbing Sir .Please Stick to topics here or dont reply at all its not constructive ,People dont like to get involved when the third or second comment start out like this . Our only mission now is point out how we can help each other and victims of the Storm . This is not a Political forum ..In name sake

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Lincoln Osiris

12:48 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013

You are right Mr Mangino, I have been a little overzealous in my posts although it has not been on "every post". I just feel obligated to tell the truth any time a pathological liar is mentioned. From now on I swear that I will only add constructive comments. Unless the pathological liar is mentioned, then I wont be able to contain myself.

I didn't mean to sidetrack your reporting. You are providing a great service. Keep up the good work.

John

4:16 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Will someone cleaning debris the length of Mill Creek in Beach Haven West?

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John Eric Mangino

5:03 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Right now i know there in the Wetlands that are across from Neville road there are dredging plans But this will not begin till the Debris is removed . If you see debris floating please try and get someone to pull it out or tie it up . The more we can do our selves helps all.

John Eric Mangino

4:19 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Like I have said before please start your own blog on this subject .
The fact is Ron Cop updated me . later the Mayor . This kind of comments help no one Now Ive seen the engineers out here Ive talked to them and its Johns Office heading it . .. As far as Batman im Batman Daim it .

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Lincoln Osiris

4:31 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Mr Mangino,

you can't be Batman. Spodofora called it first. Besides he's a much better liar than you and people will believe him. Sorry.

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Lincoln Osiris

4:40 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013

he has also claimed the pseudonyms of the Caped Crusader and the Dark Knight

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Nancy

4:56 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Mill Creek is never mentioned. I hope it isn't forgotten for clean up and dredging. Could not always get out by boat via the creek, maybe after dredging.

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Dave Sikorski

6:06 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013

I live on a BHW lagoon street. I try to remove any floating debris that I can. If I tie something up, who should I call to come pick it up?

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John Eric Mangino

6:21 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Yes you can call the town dept works they have to numbers for the Contrator thats doing our area ill try to get the direct number tomorrow

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KRaz

7:15 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Thanks John for keeping us up to date ... BHW still a ghost town. We are working on repairs, but don't see many neighbors, hoping spring will bring people back.

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Skitch

7:37 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013

I pulled a love seat out of the lagoon near my dock when i saw it floating by. It is still sitting on my lower dock as i didn't know what to do with it. Public works will pick it up if i call it in? I was going to put it out for bulk pick up the next time i was down in the area.

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John M. Bebel

9:01 am on Monday, March 18, 2013

Hi John, I was wondering if there is any way for ua to help with the cleanup, volunteer, or does it have to be DPW?

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