Verbal Sparring Match Between Gov. Christie, Heckler In Belmar
By Natasha Brown
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A verbal sparring match between Governor Chris Christie and a man displeased with Christie's handling of recovery efforts, on this the second anniversary of Superstorm Sandy.
Governor Chris Christie's tour of Superstorm Sandy ravaged areas was met with some tense moments.
Fed up with a heckler repeatedly interrupting his speech in Belmar, New Jersey, the Governor lashes out.
"I'd be more than happy to have a debate with you anytime you like guy because somebody like you who doesn't know a damn thing about what you're talking about except to stand up and show off when the cameras are here," Christie said.
Jim Keady, a former Asbury Park Councilman and founder of a group critical of the pace of superstorm recovery for many homeowners began heckling Christie waving a sign reading "Get Sandy families back in their home finish the job." After trying to brush Keady off, Governor Christie decided to take him on.
"I've been here when the cameras aren't here buddy," Christie said.
"Sit down and shut up."
"Why isn't he in Ship Bottom today. Why isn't he in Ortley Beach," Keady said.
The Governor was met with frustrated homeowners who fired off questions during his Sandy anniversary tour.
Doug Quinn says he's still struggling to stay afloat after Sandy submerged his Toms River home.
"They're dropping the ball big time and all I see is a lot of finger pointing and a lot of excuses," Quinn said.
"It's going to take a while so we just have to continue to persevere over it. I'm proud of the stuff that we've done and we're always looking to get better," Christie said.
Despite contentious encounters along the way Governor Christie continued to assure shore residents that help is on the way, in the form of $1 billion in federal housing assistance. He says those eligible for reconstruction grants should get awards by next Spring. A $50,000 economic grant allowed Tom and Valerie Weitzel to finally get their marina business back up and running.
"It was very challenging but you know what, we're here talking about it so I guess we made it through," Weitzel said. "You know we just keep a positive outlook and you just keep going."
The state of New Jersey says out of 11,000 qualified applicants for the most popular housing repair grant, 6,500 haven't signed agreements or are still on the waiting list.
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