I grew up at the Jersey Shore --- Avon, Bradley Beach, Asbury Park and Wanamassa --- in the 50s, 60s & 70s. Not once did we ever lose power, and certainly not heat. The closest we came was (and I'm guessing) in the mid-50s when we were told a hurrican was coming our way. We all descended into the dirty, rat-infested basement to hide until the threat had passed. I remember peeking out the Bilco door to see if I could see the hurricane, but alas it missed us.
As I watched Sandy beat the hell out of my old stompiny grounds (thank God my office never lost power), it quickly hit me how much different the earth is in 2012. We humans have devastated our ecology, and nature is giving it right back to us. Climate deniers can say what they want, but while they're saying it's just "weather as usual," I'm wondering what they'll be saying when they're helping foot the bill for the billions it will cost in repairs and replacements all over the East Coast.
In my own neighborhood, I watched as trees and all manner of rubbish sat in the streets for a week, blocking traffic for miles. The trip to my office from home has always been 7 minutes. For the last week, it's been between 30 and 60 minutes. What really incensed me was when I passed homes where trees and limbs had fallen, and the families were out chatting --- teenaged boys, included --- but no one attempted to remove any of the debris caused by their trees. In fact, several of the trees and limbs could fairly easily have been dragged out of the way of traffic, but apparently the homeowners didn't think that was their job. They may be right, but at a time where all your neighbors are being affected by the ravages around them, doesn't it behoove all of us to pitch in and help make things better? I actually heard someone say, "That's what I pay taxes for!"
Well. I expect we'll all be paying for help to rebuild our towns, beaches, homes and businesses. Many Bergen County towns --- Mahwah, Franklin Lakes, Wyckoff, Midland Park, Waldwick, Allendale and Glen Rock --- are still not completely powered-up, and towns like Ho-Ho-Kus have PSE&G on their streets 24/7. The days of sitting around waiting for government to repair and restore our towns are over. It's time to wake up.
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