Is There a Disconnect Between the Borough and Its Residents?
Tell us what you think about this week's question
Fair Lawn resident Alexis Burke never received a call to evacuate her Bellair Avenue home before flood waters rose to the apron of her driveway Tuesday.
Her neighbors across the street, on the other hand, did receive an automated evacuation phone call.
"There's a disconnect between the management of Fair Lawn and its citizens," said Burke, who has lived on the street for 13 years and had never previously seen flood water reach her driveway. "They're not letting us as citizens make informed decisions."
She said she likely would not have evacuated even if warned, because she wanted to be around to mitigate damages, but said she wished the borough had at least informed her what she might be facing when she woke up Tuesday morning.
In your opinion, how has the borough's flood response been? Has it been excellent, just adequate or does anyone else feel there has been a disconnect in communication between the borough and Fair Lawn residents?
Emergency management coordinator Ira Marks said that if a resident who lives in a potential flood zone doesn't receive a warning call, it's either because their phone number is unlisted or their phone service provider is a cable company, like Cablevision or Verizon FiOs. He said that Verizon won't give out the numbers for such residences, except at a steep cost that the borough has elected not to pay.
If you didn't get a call this time, but want to get your phone number into the borough's hands in the future, you can give the Emergency Management Office a call and provide them your name, address and phone number.
FLisDISGUSTING
4:47 pm on Monday, September 5, 2011
Yes, there is a disconnect..Where was Tratwinski? Where was Turdeschi? Time for a change in Fair Lawn..
Care about my kids education
6:53 pm on Monday, September 5, 2011
I think the response to this storm was fantastic. The town made it clear and the National Weather Service was clear that this was a record flood. The rescue and fire depts. were out for a week helping to fix the problem. The town didn't cause the problem. Blame mother nature. Kudos to the police, emergency management, and especially the volunteers. Was that person's home in the flood zone?
You know that as a homeowner. Is your number listed? It's a shame what happened but blame mother nature.
Joe
11:46 pm on Monday, September 5, 2011
The administration BLEW this. Should HAVE emptied the pool rather than upset a few over weight voters missing their tan last week. The Mayor was advised by incompetents and now look what happened. There are 2 - 3 dozen parents will be monitoring the clean up process with a fine tooth comb and THEY BETTR NOT take any health risks to these innocent kids THEY BETTER NOT!
publius
8:30 am on Tuesday, September 6, 2011
emptying the pool would not have made a difference with the flooding issue. The flooding levels were 2nd only to the flood from circa 1902.
Sheryl Cashin
7:12 am on Tuesday, September 6, 2011
I'm glad to see that clean up will be monitored by parents. I complained for years that the orchestra room at the High School had a leaky roof and I was concerned about mold. Over and over I was told it was fixed or that there was no mold. Still was leaking as of last year. My last child graduated and I am glad that I no longer have to deal with them. GOODLUCK!
Sheryl Cashin
7:16 am on Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Just to make clear~ my complaints were directed to the BOE not the Borough.
josh
7:53 am on Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Response was excellent although I must have gotten the same ten calls about the pool.
Go Figure
11:32 am on Tuesday, September 6, 2011
I think Fair Lawn did a great job with this tremendous challenge. I have always felt that Fair Lawn's emergency management is exceptional and I think they proved it once again. The politicians really don't have much to do with a disaster like this, just get picture ops. The real heroes were out there day and night helping people! Thanks for the help.
Cornell Christianson
6:34 pm on Tuesday, September 6, 2011
As soon as the rain stopped, our mayor Lisa Swain was right out there on Sunday meeting with PSE&G workers to get our power back on. She did a great job.
Alexis Burke
10:46 pm on Wednesday, September 7, 2011
In response to "Care about my kids education", the problem that we encountered was the lack of consistent message within the burough's management offices. Specifically, the OEM, Police, and Mayor's office. We could not get a consistent message from anyone. Never mind the Fair Lawn channel that remained blank.... Never once was it said that the volunteers and ppl that worked tirelessly didn't do an amazing job. COMMUNICATION was what we ask for, blaming mother nature has nothing to do with it. Yes, I do live in a flood zone and my phone number is listed, thus was very surprised that we did not receive any calls from the OEM when some of my neighbors had and some had not. Bottom line, as a resident of Fair Lawn all I was looking for (won't speak for my neighbors but know that they agree) is that the town works together in order to provide clear, concise, and timely informaion to all of us.
julie
6:57 am on Friday, September 9, 2011
Coulidnt have said it better Alexis....now the question is Will ithe Communication be any better this weekend? River cresting Sat am.............