SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden spent the better part of Sunday visiting storm-wrecked parts of New Jersey and reassuring residents that the federal government won't abandon them after Superstorm Sandy.
Biden, a Scranton, Pa., native who spent summers at the Jersey shore as a boy, stopped on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights to say he's "a homeboy" who understands the need to rebuild the shore. Later, at the Hoboken Terminal, Biden said the superstorm brought with the devastation an opportunity to rebuild public transit infrastructure that's strong enough to withstand the challenges of the next century.
"We're going to come back better," he said at the Hoboken PATH station, which remains out of service since the storm flooded it. "But it's going to take time."
Biden, who also flew along the coastline surveying damages from Belmar to Island Beach State Park, is the latest White House official to tour the storm wreckage. President Barack Obama was in Atlantic City the week of the storm and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napoloitano made her second visit to the state Friday.
He told residents that the shore to the eastern U.S. is like the Grand Canyon in the western region — a precious resource that needs to be protected. Biden said he and Obama are committed to helping the state rebuild.
Gov. Chris Christie hasn't yet given a preliminary damage assessment.
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Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:44 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:44:14 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:55:01 GMT
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:21 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:21:42 GMT
Revel is bankrupt no more. The struggling Atlantic City casino formally emerged from bankruptcy court on Tuesday, just 13 months after it opened with sky-high hopes.
Revel is bankrupt no more. The struggling Atlantic City casino formally emerged from bankruptcy court on Tuesday, just 13 months after it opened with sky-high hopes.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:33 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:33:20 GMT
A New Jersey priest who resigned after admitting he worked unsupervised with kids despite a legal agreement that barred him from doing so is headed to court.
A New Jersey priest who resigned after admitting he worked unsupervised with kids despite a legal agreement that barred him from doing so is headed to court.
Monday, May 20 2013 10:42 PM EDT2013-05-21 02:42:18 GMT
Omar Morales feels lucky to be here for his son Joshua's 10th birthday on Monday. Morales was one of the passengers on board a USAir flight that made an emergency landing at Newark Liberty.
Omar Morales feels lucky to be here for his son Joshua's 10th birthday on Monday. Morales was one of the passengers on board a USAir flight that made an emergency landing at Newark Liberty.
