Politics & Government

Vicari Keeps Up Push For Utilities To Waive Fees, Bills For Displaced Superstorm Sandy Residents

Residents must call the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs to report their problems with utilities, county will advocate on their behalf

Don't take no for an answer. Call us.

That's the message Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari wants to get out to Superstorm Sandy victims who are still receiving utility bills, even though they may have lost their homes or been displaced.

"If they have an issue with a utility company, call us up," he said. 'We will do the best we can."

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Residents need to call or e-mail the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs with their information before they county can act on their behalf, Vicari said. The phone is 732-929-2105. The fax is 732-506-5330. The e-mail is ConsumerAffairs@co.ocean.nj.us.

And he has no patience for utility officials who say they are billing customers fixed costs, not actual usage.

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"I don't care," he said. "This is the worst storm in the history of Ocean County. We want to make it easier for who are suffering. We will be the advocate."

Vicari said he had been assured by JCP&L official Peter Johner that the company would make adjustments in bills for residents who had lost their homes or have been displaced since the Sandy roared into the county on Oct. 29.

But other utility companies, including gas, water and sewer utilities, may not have yet made adjustments in storm victims' bills, he said.

So residents need to call or e-mail the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs before the county can advocate for their individuals cases, Vicari said.

"We have to know," he said after a brief Ocean County Board of Freeholders meeting late Wednesday afternoon.

He estimated that roughly 10,000 Ocean County residents have lost their homes or are still unable to return.

And if some utility officials don't care for his comments, so be it, Vicari said.

"It doesn't make any difference," he said. "I can't be friends with everybody and I understand that."

Affected residents can e-mail Vicari's secretary at cbove@co.ocean.nj.us and provide their name, address and the utility.

Residents without internet access may still call Vicari's office at 732-929-2002, or the county Consumer Affairs Department at 929-2105.

"This is a major hardship," he said.


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