Chris Christie slams ‘selfish’ homeowners blocking coastal protection measures

[babylonsister]

Thoughts? Having grown up at the beach, I have to go with Christie on this one.


Chris Christie slams ‘selfish’ homeowners blocking coastal protection measures

By John Upton


Some waterfront residents would prefer to risk storm surge destruction such as this, in unprotected Mantoloking after Superstorm Sandy, than lose their views.Shutterstock / Glynnis Jones


Would you like a dose of utter destruction with that view?

In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, some New Jersey residents living in vulnerable oceanfront properties are stymieing efforts to build sand dunes and widen beaches along the coastline to block storm surges. Some fear losing their views. Others worry that new public-access beach areas could be opened up adjacent to their properties.

Gov. Chris Christie (R) said on Tuesday that he has “no sympathy” for property owners standing in the way of a $3 billion federal project to widen beaches and build protective dunes. He announced plans for dealing with these “selfish” property owners during a town hall meeting in Middlesex Borough.

“We will go town by town and if we have to start calling names out of the selfish ones who care more about their view than they care about the safety and the welfare of their neighbors, then we are going to start doing that,” Christie said, according to CBS. “I will use my normal sense of gentle persuasion to try to make sure that we bring people along.”

From The Star-Ledger:

Christie has credited sand dunes — some man-made and others the work of nature — with protecting homes and businesses during Hurricane Sandy in October.

Towns without dunes were left vulnerable to devastating wind and rain …

Although Christie has said he will not condemn homes to buy out residents in flood-prone areas, he said last week in Manasquan that he would resort to eminent domain for beachfront property if necessary.

more...

http://grist.org/news/chris-christie-slams-selfish-homeowners-blocking-coastal-protection-measures/

[Tx4obama]

1. I for one think that houses should NOT be built so close to the water.

There would be a lot less destruction from the storms/hurricanes if the houses weren't built there in the first place.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

4. If they want to it's on them, I'd say.

"Assumed risk" is a phrase too seldom heard these days.

[Archaic]

5. The issue here is that their assumed risk wrecks mitigation for everyone else.

They might be willing to take the risk, but a refusal means the ocean has a nice path to go through and wreck everything behind this assumed risk house.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

7. If the barriers aren't built, you mean?

My apologies, that part of the convo was not considered in my previous post (even though that's the OP -- DUH!).

Personally, I'd think a barrier done the right way could enhance the appeal of an ocean view. I doubt the property owners' plats extend too far into the water and they're a small enough a political bloc that NJ could just do it.

[BeyondGeography]

2. He welcomes their hatred

Smart.

[wryter2000]

3. I'm with you and Christie on this one n/t

n/t

[geek tragedy]

6. I'm with Christie 110% on this.

Of course, the Teahadists will disagree.

[HeiressofBickworth]

8. Eminant Domain??

I guess that means he has commercial developers lined up to purchase the properties. As I've always said, it's always about the money.

[Mojorabbit]

11. That would be my first thought also nt

[tallahasseedem]

9. I'm with him 100% on this.

He's still a blowhard though.

Speaking of shores, I really wish the warm weather would get here so I can start going to the shore!

[babylonsister]

10. Hell, me also! So tired of the cold...and the laundry!

Give me shorts and t's!!

[angstlessk]

12. People who build houses on beach front property are rich enough to build it up high

enough to see over the dunes...selfish..I agree with Chrisie (even IF he is a republican)