South Jersey Residents Losing Patience Waiting For Federal Storm Relief
By David Madden
BEACH HAVEN, N.J. (CBS) -- As the new US Congress wrangles with approving federal aid for victims of Hurricane Sandy (see related story), residents and businesses at the South Jersey shore are trying their best to be patient.
But it isn't easy.
Two months later, there are still piles of debris here and there. Most people are getting ready for the next summer season, and it's hard to plan without more than just the promise of federal help.
Bill Martin is with the Surflight Theatre Company, which suffered $1 million in damage.
He says political delays aren't helping to get them back on stage:
"You see the actors, the interns, the set people, and they're standing there saying, 'I don't have a paycheck. You want me to work and I'm not getting paid. How can we get this done in three months and be open in April?' "
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Businesses, homeowners, and municipalities are all waiting to see if the feds will keep their promise to help. And some aren't very confident.
"Nobody seems to want to cooperate with anybody," says homeowner Howard Eaton. "Consequently, nothing gets done. And then we poor folk down at the bottom of the food chain are the ones that suffer."
