Local Mayor Speaks Out As Thousands Remain In Dark In Gloucester County
By Tim Jimenez, Justin Finch
GLOUCESTER COUNTY, N.J. (CBS) - Thousands of homes and businesses are still in the dark in Gloucester County following last Tuesday's storms, and officials in one township are calling on Governor Christie to do more.
As of Monday morning, there are still 4,400 Atlantic City Electric customers in Gloucester County in the dark. That is an improvement over Sunday. Instead of thousands without power in places like Mantua, Washington Township and Greenwich, it's now down to hundreds.
But the length of time it's taken for the lights to go back leaves frustrated residents and officials like Greenwich Township Mayor George Shivery calling out Governor Christie:
"As a fellow Republican I have been good to him from day one. As a community, this township has been good to him. The Governor repaid us by forgetting us in our time of need."
He added, "The Governor has been quoted saying if there's anything an emergency declaration could enhance, that he woulds sign one. My message to our governor is: sign it. Then maybe we'll see someone from FEMA. This town will be in recovery for months."
Shivery says Christie needs to put politics aside and help their community. He says he's only been in contact with someone from the Governor's office once and a disaster declaration should have been made last week.
Right now, Atlantic City Electric pledges 99 percent of affected customers will get power back. Governor Christie's office says they'll review the restoration process, which slowed down over the weekend because of the rain.
Residents have gone almost a week without lights.
The mayor of Greenwich Township wants Christie to sign off on paperwork that would declare the area an emergency to fast track efforts.