If applause were a sea wall, that which was given again and again Saturday would be large enough and strong enough to hold back an even bigger Superstorm Sandy and surge with no difficulty but a lot of pride and thanks.
That’s what was happening in Sea Bright Saturday, as the town celebrated the tenth anniversary of proving neighbors working together and generous volunteers giving energy, time and talent can work miracles.
Well over 100 residents, municipal leaders, State Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Congressman Frank Pallone were ebullient with praise and thanks to all the residents, state, county and national agencies, and especially volunteers who came in ten years ago, after Superstorm Sandy whipped through the borough, and helped Sea Bright get back on its feet and forge ahead.
This is typical Sea Bright; even the board filled with headlines and stories from ten years ago showed that even while picking up, throwing out, searching, drying, building and renewing showed the positive nature of this town of 1500 residents. Headlines like “We’re thankful for what we have” and “We’ll be back!” shone over the horrific photos of devastated businesses, homes, and resources that residents, friends and relatives faced ten years ago when the borough was under ten feet of water from ocean to the Shrewsbury River.
The celebration Saturday was hosted by the Fire Department in its building that is post Sandy, as well as other volunteers and included music, a few talks that brought on the applause, and lots of hot and cold food and beverages so folks could sit around tables and talk about the future, rather than the past, with old friends and new arrivals.
Congressman Pallone praised the borough for “Bringing Sea Bright back” and promised there will continue to be funds and assistance, as well as reformed flood insurance from the national government to help Sea Bright and other Storm-devasted communities.
Senator O’Scanlon laughingly told how he became proficient at securing “portable toilets,” good naturedly leading and accepting the teasing and laughter associated with the idea of a legislator finding toilets. Referring to the sunshine and clear skies at the celebratory event Saturday, O’Scanlon said “God answered our prayers and He’s proving it with the weather…Sea B right has risen!”
Chris Wood spoke briefly after thunderous applause as the owner of the popular Woodie’s Restaurant but more importantly the businessman who provided so much food and sustenance do volunteers long after Stormy passed but clean-up continued.
Planning Board Chairman Lance Cunningham, owner of Carriage House Marina, and a lifetime resident, recalled the devastation, but most of all recalled the generosity of residents and businesses as well as volunteers from all over.
Borough Administrator Joe Verroni, came to town when appointed to organize and administer activity after the storm and later was officially named borough administrator, was also thanked, praised and applauded, as were police, fire, former Councilman Charlie Rooney, and present Mayor Brian Kelly, who noted the event showed the borough has come “full circle.”
But even more thunderous applause was showered on former Mayor Dina Long, who had been elected to the position just ten months before Sandy struck. Rooney told the story of calling after the storm and urging her to quit the mayoral position since it would be overwhelming work, no thanks, and all of her time. She was polite but firm, as she told the resident “I can’t quit, I have to do this for Sea Bright.” It was only later that Rooney learned the Mayor had lost her own house in Sandy, but nonetheless took the lead because it was “our town.” It was her spirit and coincidence, Rooney said, together with his own desire to ‘get the old Sea Bright back again” that made his decision to run successfully for election shortly after.
And with their leashed dogs at their feet, neighbors friends and strangers from other towns heard some memories of a decade ago, some heartbreaking, others strangely funny, but all meaningful.
Atlantic Highlands Councilman Brian Boms, at the event to help his neighbors celebrate, recalled the weeks he spent in Sea Bright and Highlands after the storm, leading volunteer groups, working with FEMA, and helping everywhere he could to assist the stricken. Boms was also a leading figure in the building of the boardwalk along the oceanside.
Heather Gorman, an Independent candidate for council in next week’s election, hugged her daughter Corinna as she recalled Corinna was heavy in her womb at Hurricane Sandy, and despite all the offers and suggestions she leave and go to a safer place, Gorman shrugged and said, “I just couldn’t do that. I saw the bridge, but how could I leave? This is Sea Bright and I wasn’t going to go anyplace else.”
