Rockaway residents have proven they not only listen, but act when asked to be part of the post-Sandy rebuilding process. The question is, how will the city and state respond?
Scott Stringer, the New York City Comptroller, has been conducting a series of high-profile meetings labeled as “Sandy Oversight Town Hall Meetings”. Jason Hilliard, the Queens Deputy Director of Public Affairs from Stringer’s office, held a preliminary meeting last week at Arverne Pilgrim Church to stress the importance of local residents being aware of the upcoming Sandy Oversight Town Hall meeting that was to be held on Tuesday, May 20.
Acting as Stringer’s point man, Hillard said he was concerned about the potential Rockaway turnout. He implored Rockaway residents to show up, stating they needed to be prepared to testify, tell their Sandy stories and detail the failures they have experienced with FEMA, Rapid Repair, Build It Back, insurance claims, direct aid, SBA loans, foreclosures and more.
Well, the people of Rockaway did show up. They filled the aisles and they lined the walls of the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. They all came ready with specific questions and detailed issues for the Comptroller, who chaired the meeting. While many spoke about their individual needs and concerns, they also spoke to the overall needs of the peninsula.
Rockaway did what you asked, Mr. Stringer. Now they want to know what exactly you are going to do about it.
They want to know if you, your office, and the other elected officials who have heard and made lists about the dire needs of Rockaway, are going to act definitively to address those issues.
Your office, Mr. Stringer, harbored doubts the people of Rockaway would show up in the first place. Now, as they say, the ball is your court.
The people are now waiting to see what you do with it.
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