Today was a good day.
A day to witness miracles and a testament to the strength of our communities.
Leaving my Chatham NJ home to visit and see family and friends alive and well and standing next to their Millburn/Short Hills homes (many of which were still standing) was amazing. Visiting the Millburn Deli brought a tear to my eye as I watched them remove the boards from windows, a sign that things were going to be okay. Many of you can remember when that wasn’t the case.
Yes, there was devastation in our community yesterday.
Yes, it will take time (many months, likely) to recover and rebuild.
Yes, it was a hard day.
But, it was still good.
And I will sleep well tonight knowing that my friends, family, pets and loved ones and their homes in Summit, Millburn/Short Hills, and Chatham are still here. We will continue to draw strength from one another and make each day good until one day everything will be great in our small communities again.
You see, we as a community are resilient. Our towns have weathered major storms, like Hurricane Irene and last years ice storm on Halloween and now Hurricane Sandy, and have bounced back. In fact, we are already bouncing – Halloween has been re-scheduled to Monday in many of our towns so that we can embrace our neighborly spirit despite the tragedy that has occurred. I am excited to have a chance to have trick or treaters visit my Chatham NJ home this week and recount the blessings of having children who are able to dress up and walk through our community.
Please join me in embracing the challenges that lie ahead – the challenges that will try our patience and resolve and may at times seem insurmountable.
Together as a community, whether you live in Summit NJ or have a home in Millburn/Short Hills, Chatham, or another of the affected areas, we need be strong, patient and move forward. We have no choice.
Millburn, Summit & Chatham NJ Home Resources & Emergency Numbers
Listed below are some emergency resources that may be of help as you seek to rebuild and repair whatever challenges you may face individually and as a family. If I can be of service to you, please give me a call.
- PSE&G: 1-800-436-PSEG ( 1-800-436-7734)
- JCP&L/First Energy: 1-888-LIGHTSS ( 1-888-544-4877)
- Radio Stations with Updates: 98.7FM or 1050AM Radio
- Mental Health Help: 877-294-HELP (1-877-294-4357)
- Red Cross
- NJ Social Services
- NJ Updates & Other Info
- Road & Tunnel Updates: dial 511
- Information & Disaster Referral: Dial 211
- Individual County Website Links
- Summit Info
- Millburn/Short Hills Info
- Chatham Info
