Orangetown Urges End of Wait for Disaster Relief Vote

Orangetown Supervisor Andy Stewart added his voice to those critical of the U.S. Congress for delays in voting for disaster relief to aid victims of Hurricane Sandy during his state of the town speech Wednesday night. 

"They have failed to vote on Hurricane Sandy aid package, delaying money from FEMA and those resorues fro reconsturciton in New York and New Jersey," Stewart said. "Right now we are at 65 days without an aid bill ratified, and that is far longer than any other disaster. (Hurricane) Katrina took 10."

The Orangetown Council unanimously voted for a resolution calling for the federal government to pass a hurricane relief bill as soon as possible.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) released a statement Wednesday criticizing the delay. 

Editor's note: Check back with Patch for more from Stewart's state of the town address and remarks from the rest of the Orangetown Council on the new year.