Op-Ed: Sandy Recovery A Tale of Two Worlds

This op-ed was written by State Sen. Joe Addabbo, D-Forest Hills.

As I reflect on the progress made six months after Sandy, I see it as
a tale of two worlds. One world is just about back to normal. There
are parts of my district where stores have returned, residents are
back in their homes and back to work, while their children are back to
their normal lives.

Then there is the other world, which is far from being back to
normal.  In that world, the stores are still closed and possibly never
coming back due to the damage from Sandy. Some of those residents who
worked at those stores are out of work and some are out of their
homes. I also know that there are children, and adults, who continue
to have emotional issues caused by Sandy.

Two totally different worlds, which six months after Sandy, still
need a lot of attention, because while there has been much progress
made, there is still so much work to do.

As for working on Sandy-related issues, my work as an elected
official will not be done until both of these worlds are one again.
Over the coming months, I am hopeful that the federal funding
filtering through our state and city will be able to help our
neighbors, businesses and nonprofits.

I continue to explore all possible means necessary to assist my
residents in their time of difficulty.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of my constituents in Howard
Beach, Hamilton Beach, Broad Channel, Rockaway and Breezy Point who
continue to suffer through the ravages of Sandy.