From Asbury Park Press: Stop Fema Now plans rallies in New Jersey and New York...

Flood insurance hikes subject of planned rallies in Seaside Park, Toms River

Seaside Park, Toms River events slated for Sept. 28

Written by

Ken Serrano

9/5/2013

Stop FEMA Now founder George Kasimos (with microphone) points to destroyed homes on the oceanfront in the Ortley Beach section of Toms River during a May rally. / FRANK GALIPO/SPECIAL TO THE PRESS

Saying it is broadening its reach by connecting with other groups around the country, Stop FEMA Now will take part in a national rally later this month to protest flood insurance hikes.

So far, the group plans to hold two rallies in Ocean County: in Seaside Park and the Toms River North High School auditorium. The rallies are scheduled for noon on Sept. 28. The exact location of the Seaside Park rally has not yet been confirmed.

George Kasimos, founder of the advocacy group, said the list of local rally locations likely will grow.

In New York, rallies at the same time are planned in Staten Island, Broad Channel and Babylon. Rallies also are expected in Louisiana and other states, Kasimos said.

Kasimos began visiting other groups advocating for Sandy victims in New York about four months ago and has since been in touch with Louisiana parishes.

“We have to make it a national lobby,” Kasimos said. “It’s got to grow. The only way to make change is to get together collectively and make a stink about it. It’s coming to fruition.”

With flood insurance rate increases, Stop FEMA now is focusing more on recent legislation — the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act — not the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Kasimos said.

“It’s really not FEMA’s fault,” Kasimos said. “Congress gave them a mandate.”

Biggert-Waters aims to restructure how theNational Flood Insurance Program is funded, halting some subsidies.

Along with protesting flood insurance rates, due to rise sharply for some homes in Special Hazard Flood Areas by January 2015, Stop FEMA Now is pushing for or arguing against other issues, such as raising dunes and levees and lowering base flood elevations in FEMA’s recently-released flood maps.