M'town officials thanked for flood map actions
As a longtime resident of the Bayshore, I must commend Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger and Deputy Mayor Pamela Brightbill of Middletown for their efforts to stop the implementation of the new FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency )flood maps. Both of these officials took part in a forum put together by Assemblywoman Amy Handlin; they introduced a resolution calling on the federal government to fix the levee instead of making homeowners buy flood insurance, and they have even gone door to door with petitions sponsored by Ms. Handlin demanding that the federal government look for alternatives to the new maps.

They have provided residents with information in a variety of other forums, including the Web site and Middletown Channel 20. If only Representative Frank Pallone were as diligent as our local officials! Only recently has he become part of the discussion, and one wonders - if these new maps were the result of a congressional order - why Rep. Pallone didn't do something to stop them before they became law.

I know I speak for many Bayshore residents when I say thank you to Assemblywoman Handlin, Mayor Scharfenberger and Deputy Mayor Brightbill and I hope for our sake you are successful in your efforts.
Cathy Rogers
Port Monmouth section of
Middletown